Jio acquires additional spectrum in Bihar & West Bengal

In the recent Spectrum Auction conducted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) – Government of India, Jio, India's largest digital services provider, secured additional spectrum in the 1800 MHz band for the Bihar and West Bengal circles. 

By acquiring spectrum in the 1800 MHz band in these two regions, Jio has increased its total spectrum footprint to 26,801 MHz (uplink and downlink combined). This expansion allows Jio to address regional demand effectively and ensure a high-quality customer experience on its network. The spectrum will aid in the deployment of both 4G and 5G technologies, emphasising the company's commitment to advanced and efficient bandwidth technologies.

Akash M. Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, commented on the acquisition: "We have already demonstrated our commitment to the Digital India Vision by rolling out one of the world's fastest and widest Stand Alone 5G networks within 12 months of allotment of spectrum. This new spectrum acquisition will continue to enable us serving aspirations of the new India, in terms of growing traffic demands and superior customer experience, which is no longer limited to only urban markets. We want every Indian to enjoy the transformational benefits of Jio's next generation of digital solutions."

Jio's newly acquired spectrum details for the 1800 MHz band are as follows:

• Bihar: 5.0 MHz, costing INR ₹420.25 crores
• West Bengal: 9.4 MHz, costing INR ₹553.38 crores

This results in a total acquisition of 14.4 MHz at a provisional cost of INR ₹973.63 crores, pending DoT confirmation. According to the terms of the spectrum auction, the payment for this spectrum can be made over 20 equated annual instalments, with interest computed at 8.65% per annum.

This acquisition reinforces Jio's unique position as the only Indian operator with access to low-band, mid-band, and high-band spectrums (700 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz), which provides a significant advantage in delivering a superior 5G experience to its customers. The comprehensive spectrum portfolio supports Jio's aims to cater to the growing data traffic demands and enhance digital solutions across urban and rural India.

Jio continues to play a pivotal role in realising the Digital India Vision by providing a robust and future-proof network infrastructure. The company is committed to extending its digital services and solutions, ensuring that every Indian can leverage the benefits of its technology advancements. The recent spectrum acquisition highlights Jio's ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of the telecom industry and its dedication to delivering comprehensive digital experiences to its user base.