Mukesh Ambani’s Jio is the star even before spectrum auction

Mobilephone user imageMukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, has emerged as the star even before the kick off the spectrum auction.

Reliance Jio Infocomm, which can bid for spectrum in any band in any LSA, deposited Rs 6,500 crore towards EMD money and received eligibility point of 44,506. Reliance Jio, the pan India 4G operator, is leading the spectrum auction in terms of EMD.

The below chart shows the spectrum of Reliance Jio across India. The chart also indicates its tie-up with Reliance Communications.
spectrum-holding-of-jio-in-all-circlesThe government is trying to sell spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHZ & 2500 MHz bands.

Bharti Airtel, which acquired 4G spectrum from Videocon and Aircel, is less aggressive this time going by EMD.

Idea Cellular has deposited EMD money of Rs 2,000 crore and the Eligibility Point Allocated was 13,750. Idea Cellular, the Aditya Birla group company, can bid in any spectrum band in any LSA.

Vodafone India, which received huge FDI (foreign direct investment) in the first six months of the current fiscal, deposited EMD money of Rs 2,740 crore for the spectrum auction. Vodafone was allocated 18,821 Eligibility Point. Vodafone India can bid in any spectrum band in any LSA.

Bharti Airtel, the country’s largest telecom operator, deposited EMD money of Rs 1,980 crore and received Point Allocated of 13,640. Bharti Airtel can bid in any spectrum band in any LSA.

Aircel, which announced its merger with Reliance Communicatoins, deposited Rs 120 crore towards EMD money and the Eligibility Point Allocated was 792. Aircel cannot bid for spectrum in all bands.

In 900 and 1800 MHz bands, Aircel can bid in any band in any LSA. In 2100 MHz band, Aircel can bid only in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, J&K, Karnataka, Kerala, Kolkata, NE, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh East and West Bengal LSAs. In 2300 Mhz, Aircel can bid only in Andhra Pradesh LSA. In 700 / 800 & 2500 MHz, Aircel cannot bid in any LSA.

Tata Teleservices deposited EMD money of Rs 1,000 crore and the Eligibility Point Allocated was 6,919. Tata Teleservices, which is in the news for its talks with NTT Docomo, cannot bid in all spectrum bands.

Reliance Communications, which will become the third largest telecom operator after the merger with Aircel, has deposited Rs 313 crore towards EMD money and received Eligibility Point of 2,158 for the forthcoming spectrum auction. Reliance Communications can bid in any band in any LSA except NE & Assam.

Reliance Jio Infocomm has deposited 6,500 EMD money. Eligibility Point Allocated to Jio was 44,506. Reliance Jio Infocomm can bid in any spectrum band in any LSA.

Baburajan K