Reliance Jio 5G spectrum spends likely over Rs. 80,000 crore (US$ 10.01 billion) with pricey 700 MHz in the bag: Analysts

Reliance Jio, the leader in the telecom market, is expected to have spent more than Rs. 80,000 crore (US$ 10.01 billion on Day 1 of India's ongoing 5G spectrum sale and is likely to have purchased pricey airwaves in the 700 MHz band, as well as mid-band (3.3-3.67 GHz) and high-band (26 GHz) airwaves.

Since Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are believed to have avoided the pricey 700 MHz band and instead concentrated on mid-band and high-band 5G airwaves, along with selective refills in the 1800 MHz, 900 MHz, and 2100 MHz bands, their respective spectrum spending is estimated to be lower at around Rs. 45,000 crore (US$ 5.63 billion) and Rs. 18,400 crore (US$ 2.3 billion), respectively.

Adani Data Networks, a recent entrant, is most likely to have limited its spectrum spending to about Rs. 1,000 crore (US$ 125.16 million) by concentrating on pan-Indian 5G airwaves in the high-band only.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.