5G Spectrum Auction in India

India’s 5G spectrum auction has ended on the seventh day with spectrum worth 1.5 trillion Indian rupees (US$18.99 billion) being sold to the three network providers which include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea as well as Adani Group.

• The top highest bidder Reliance Jio, India’s largest service provider, has spent INR880.78 billion ($11.15 billion) in the acquisition of frequencies in the 800MHz, 700MHz 1800MHz 3300MHz, and 26GHz frequency bands.
• The second-largest provider of services in India, Bharti Airtel, has invested INR430.84 billion ($5.45 billion) to purchase spectrum in 19867MHz across various frequency bands. Airtel is primarily focused in the 3300MHz, and the 26GHz bands and has purchased also spectrum in the 1800MHz, 900MHz and 2100MHz bands.
• Vodafone Idea has spent INR187.84 billion ($2.37 billion). The company has concentrated on the spectrum of 3300MHz and 26GHz bands  in a few targeted circles.
• Adani companies won spectrum at 26Ghz and bought 400MHz at a price of INR2.12 billion ($26.84 million). This amount suggests that this spectrum is going to mainly be utilized for setting up 5G private networks for its ports, airports and other businesses across the country.

Spectrum is expected to be released by August and the launch date is set for October 2022.