Idea Cellular on Friday revealed the telecom network operator’s total spectrum holding post spectrum auction 2016.
Idea Cellular has acquired 349.20 MHz of spectrum for Rs 12,798 crore during the 2016 spectrum auction to enhance both mobile data coverage and capacity.
Idea Cellular has an aggregate spectrum holding of over 890 MHz (in FDD and TDD bands) including acquisition in the current auction of 349.20 MHz.
“Idea has filled all of its spectrum coverage requirements, while procuring a substantial part of its broadband capacity needs for the next decade. The company will focus on expanding its Wireless Broadband presence primarily on 4G LTE technology to over a billion Indians,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of Idea Cellular.
Idea has acquired additional 2×74.6 MHz spectrum in FDD technology on 1800 and 2100 bands, and 200 MHz of capacity spectrum in TDD technology on 2300 and 2500 bands.
Idea Cellular has paid less than 1 percent premium over the DoT set reserve price for procuring the costly spectrum.
“Idea procured the highest ever, additional 37 wireless broadband carriers reaching capability to use an overall 64 high speed broadband carriers across bands of 900, 1800, 2100, 2300 and 2500 MHz,” said Himanshu Kapania, managing director of Idea Cellular.
