Airtel, Jio and Vodafone Idea: Band Wise Spectrum Expiry Analysis

Airtel Vodafone Idea Jio Spectrum Details

The spectrum expiry timelines are equally essential as spectrum holdings as telcos need to prepare for upcoming auctions, plan investments, finetune network (although it is a continuous process) and much more so that any change will not impact the consumer experience.

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In this story, we will analyse the aggregate quantum of the spectrum (across all the bands and circles) that is going to expire along with expiry years for Airtel, Jio and Vodafone Idea on a high level. In which year, what quantum of the spectrum will be coming to expiry forms the base of this story.

Technically, the quantum of spectrum expiring in a particular band, spectrum kind, the quantum of spectrum and technology deployed, and real-case coverage challenges can be some significant factors when considering the expiry aspects.

Before we proceed further, as spectrum is a complicated topic, you need to be aware of a few basics to understand further, and we have put forward some pointers for the same.

Bands in which Telcos Operate as of Today:

Airtel – 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2300 MHz Bands.

Jio – 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2300 MHz Bands.

Vodafone Idea – 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, and 2500 MHz Bands.

FDD Bands (2x) : 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz.

TDD Bands (x) : 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz.

For now, understand that the spectrum is paired (2x) in FDD Bands and unpaired (1x) in TDD Bands. So, the values depend on the presentation and convention used to put forward the FDD band spectrum numbers.

For example: If a telco holds 5 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz Band, technically, it means 5 MHz in the uplink and 5 MHz in the downlink and amounts to 10 MHz total spectrum holdings that are considered even for spectrum cap references.