New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) Vodafone India has acquired spectrum in 12 telecom circles in the recently concluded spectrum auction for a total cost of Rs.25,810 crore, which will help it in expanding its 3G services, a company statement said here on Thursday.
“Vodafone India successfully bought spectrum in all six of its 900 MHz circles due for extension in December 2015. Significantly expanding its 3G capabilities, Vodafone India acquired 5 MHz of 900 MHz band spectrum in Odisha and added a further 30 MHz of spectrum in the 2100 MHz band in six new circles,” said the statement.
Vodafone India has also bought an additional 5.6 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum in three circles to complement the 49 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum acquired in the February 2014 auction.
“With the new and existing spectrum, Vodafone India will be able to expand its 3G service over its own network from 9 circles to 16 circles. These circles in total represent 88 percent of Vodafone India’s service revenues,” the statement said.
“With the spectrum acquired in this auction, we have ensured the continuity of our business and increased our capability to provide high speed 3G coverage to more areas. Vodafone has committed a total of approximately Rs.25,810 crore in this auction. This is on top of Rs.75,000 crore we have already invested in the last five years,” said MD and CEO Marten Pieters.
“We will continue to invest in building our network in the coming years to harness the potential of the spectrum won. We remain committed to providing seamless connectivity and superior communication services to our customers and will expand our 3G service from 9 to 16 circles. We hope that in future, the government will ensure adequate spectrum is made available to achieve the vision of Digital India,” he added.
In the auction, Vodafone India acquired a total of 78.4 MHz comprising 42.8 MHz in the 900 MHz band in Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal; 5.6 MHz in the 1800 MHz band in Gujarat, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh (East) and 30.0 MHz in the 2100 MHz band in Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Northeast, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (West).