Reliance Jio Acquires Spectrum in the 1800 MHz Band in the Auction conducted by DoT, Government of India

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd ("RJIL") announces that it has successfully acquired the right to use spectrum in 14 key circles across India in the 1800 MHz band in the recently concluded spectr um aucti on conducted by DoT, Government of India. RJIL plans to use this spectrum, ranging from 2x5 MHz to 2x7 MHz in each of these 14 circles, in conjunction with its pan India 2300 MHz spectrum to address the expected surge in demand for digital services as well as to enhance in-building coverage. RJIL plans to provide seamless 4G services using FDD-LTE on 1800 MHz and TDD-LTE on 2300 MHz through an integrated ecosystem.

1800 MHz Spectrum Auction

RJIL has won the spectrum in the 1800 MHz band in all circles as per details given below, where it participated in the auction and where full contiguous block of 5 MHz spectrum was available:

• Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai (all metros)
• Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu (all category A circles)
• Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal
• Assam, North East, Orissa

Through this acquisition, RJIL's total equi valent s pectrum footprint has increased from 440 MHz to 597.6 MHz (including uplink & downlink).

Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited said: "With this acquisition, Reliance Jio will be the holder of the largest quantum of liberalized spectrum and with the longest residual spectrum life. Reliance Jio's seamless 4G services using FDD-LTE on 1800 MHz and TDD-LTE on 2300 MHz through an integrated ecosystem, aims to provide unparalleled high quality access to innovative and empowering digital content, applications and services."

Cost to RJIL for the right to use this technology agnostic spectrum for a pe riod of 20 years is Rs. 11,054 crore. RJIL plans to opt to make an upfront payment of 33% with the balance payable in 10 equal annual instalments after a two year moratorium, as per the provisions of the Notice Inviting Applications issued by DoT. RJIL has acquired the 1800 MHz spectrum at 31% premium to reserve price. Winning bidders ofthe 900 MHz spectrum paid between 55% to 110% premium over the reserve price.

RJIL's Services

RJIL is deploying an enhanced packet core network to create futuristic high capacity infrastructure to handle huge demand for data and voice. In addition to high speed data, the 4G network will provide voice services from / to non-RJIL networks. There are several mobile phones and devices available today which have the capability to operate both TD-LTE and FD-LTE technologies in the 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands as well as conventional 2G / 3G networks. Rapid strides in global LTE rollouts and introduction of several new chipsets is making LTE enabled smart mobile phones and devices more affordable.In any case, Wi-Fi enabled 2G / 3G device can acc ess RJIL 's services through an affordable pocket router.