Reliance
Jio Infocomm Ltd (“RJIL”) announces that it has successfully acquired
the right to use spectrum in 14 key circles across India in the 1800 MHz
band in the recently concluded spectrum auction conducted by DoT,
Government of India. RJIL plans to use this spectrum, ranging from 2x5
MHz to 2x7 MHz in each of these 14 circles, in conjunction with its pan
India 2300 MHz spectrum to address the expected surge in demand for
digital services as well as to enhance in-building coverage. RJIL plans
to provide seamless 4G services using FDD-LTE on 1800 MHz and TDD-LTE on
2300 MHz through an integrated ecosystem.
1800 MHz Spectrum Auction
RJIL
has won the spectrum in the 1800 MHz band in all circles as per details
given below, where it participated in the auction and where full
contiguous block of 5 MHz spectrum was available:
Category
|
Circles
|
Metros
|
Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai (all metros)
|
A
|
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu (all category A circles)
|
B
|
Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal
|
C
|
Assam, North East, Orissa
|
Through
this acquisition, RJIL’s total equivalent spectrum footprint has
increased from 440 MHz to 597.6 MHz (including uplink & downlink).
Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited said: “With
this acquisition, Reliance Jio will be the holder of the largest
quantum of liberalized spectrum and with the longest residual spectrum
life. Reliance Jio’s seamless 4G services using FDD-LTE on 1800 MHz and
TDD-LTE on 2300 MHz through an integrated ecosystem, aims to provide
unparalleled high quality access to innovative and empowering digital
content, applications and services.”
Cost
to RJIL for the right to use this technology agnostic spectrum for a
period of 20 years is Rs. 11,054 crore. RJIL plans to opt to make an
upfront payment of 33% with the balance payable in 10 equal annual
instalments after a two year moratorium, as per the provisions of the
Notice Inviting Applications issued by DoT.
RJIL
has acquired the 1800 MHz spectrum at 31% premium to reserve price.
Winning bidders ofthe 900 MHz spectrum paid between 55% to 110% premium
over the reserve price.
RJIL’s Services
RJIL
is deploying an enhanced packet core network to create futuristic high
capacity infrastructure to handle huge demand for data and voice. In
addition to high speed data, the 4G network will provide voice services
from / to non-RJIL networks.
There
are several mobile phones and devices available today which have the
capability to operate both TD-LTE and FD-LTE technologies in the 1800
MHz and 2300 MHz bands as well as conventional 2G / 3G networks. Rapid
strides in global LTE rollouts and introduction of several new chipsets
is making LTE enabled smart mobile phones and devices more affordable.In
any case, Wi-Fi enabled 2G / 3G device can access RJIL’s services
through an affordable pocket router.
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