Reliance Communications acquires spectrum in 11 circles

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Reliance Communications, part of the Anil Ambani-led group, has acquired new and top-up 800/850 MHz spectrum in 11 circles.

The acquisition of the new spectrum intends to achieve a contiguous five MHz spectrum holding nationwide in the recently concluded telecom airwaves auction, a company statement said here on Friday.

The company stated that with this acquisition, it has become 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 (long term evolution) technology at most optimal cost," it said.

"RCom invests nearly 50 percent of its total outlay on 800/850 MHz band," the company said.

Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said Reliance Communications has put a bid worth Rs.4,299 crore in the latest round of auctions. It would do an upfront payment of Rs.1,106 crore.

It said the company's auction participation centred on building appropriate spectrum portfolio and value creation for next 20 years.

The company also bought 900 MHz spectrum in Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh and won 1800 MHz spectrum in Odisha and northeast.

It has re-acquired spectrum in 900 and 1800 bands in four of the seven 2G spectrum expiry circles.