The Indian government appears poised to initiate another spectrum auction soon, making the bidding strategies of telecom operators critical to examine. For Reliance Jio (RJIO), their approach seems straightforward. With no imminent spectrum license expirations and a substantial reserve of 5G spectrum already acquired—particularly in the 26 GHz band, much of which remains unused—their need to participate in the upcoming auction appears minimal. Vodafone Idea (VI) also finds itself in a similar situation, with only a small portion of their licenses expiring and a lesser need to acquire additional spectrum.
The focal point of interest, however, lies with Bharti Airtel. Their spectrum auction strategy warrants a closer look, especially as they may aim to strengthen their position in the lower frequency bands. These bands are crucial for launching standalone 5G services, with the 800 and 900 MHz frequencies being particularly significant. The strategy of mixing and matching spectrum in the lower frequency bands for 5G rollout is less favored due to the potential reduction in coverage. Therefore, Bharti Airtel’s decision to invest in the 800 or 900 MHz bands will likely be driven by the necessity to accommodate their existing 4G subscribers. This move is pivotal, considering the limited availability of 5G spectrum in the 700 MHz band and the unlikelihood of the 600 MHz band being included in the upcoming auction. With this context in mind, let’s delve into Bharti Airtel’s spectrum strategy for the forthcoming auction band by band.
