Bharti Airtel, RCom gain capability for 4G service

Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications (RCom) have gained capability to provide 4G services across the country as they bagged requisite spectrum in the recently concluded spectrum auction.

RIL's telecom arm Reliance Jio already has pan-India 4G spectrum.

"RCom becomes India's first and only operator with nationwide footprint of contiguous 800/850 MHz spectrum. RCom operations now future-proofed across all circles for most advanced LTE technology at most optimal cost," the company said in a statement.

Airtel, the country's leading telecom operator, in a statement said, "Post the latest spectrum acquisition, Bharti Airtel's spectrum mix will give it unmatched reach in the mobile data segment across 3G and 4G with a pan-India footprint."

The telecom firm now directly holds spectrum for 3G service in all parts of the country, except in Kolkata.

Reliance Communications made bids worth Rs 4,299 crore and is required to make an upfront payment of Rs 1,106 crore.

The company won 800 MHz spectrum in 11 service areas, but could not defend its 900 MHz spectrum holding in five out of seven circles expiring in 2015-16.

However, RCom spectrum holding in 800 Mhz in some parts of the country cannot be used to offer 4G service as the matter is sub-judice or to start 4G service using those airwaves it will have to pay one-time spectrum fee of Rs 173 crore demanded by government.

Reliance Jio has also added two sets of spectrum-800 Mhz in 10 circles and additional 1800 Mhz in six circles, to boost its 4G services with stable voice calling service.