Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, the 4G entrant, has reportedly approached the Competition Commission of India (CCI) seeking approval for its proposed spectrum sharing deal with Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications.
According to media reports, Jio is currently awaiting the nod for its deal with RCom for using the 800 MHz spectrum. Jio had inked the agreement with RCom in January last year. Both the telcos had inked trading agreement and agreed for a reciprocal Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) arrangement.
According to the notice submitted to the CCI, the agreements were pursuant to the guidelines for the trading of access spectrum by access service providers issued by the Department of Telecommunications on October 12, 2015. The notice also said that Jio was testing its network for providing mobile telephone services, high definition voice, video, data and messaging, in India as on the date of entering into the agreements.
Under the strategic alliance, RCom is providing its spectrum in the 800 MHz band across nine circles to Reliance Jio. Both companies will also share their spectrum in 800 MHz bands across 17 circles.
Following the deal, RCom had paid Rs 5,383.84 crore as spectrum liberalisation fee to the Indian telecom department. The liberalisation fee paid was in relation to spectrum in the 800/850 MHz band held by the company in 16 telecom circles.
