Airtel won’t buy 700 MHz in next auction, will only target spectrum expiring in 2024: Top executive

Bharti Airtel won’t buy any pricey 700 MHz spectrum in the next 5G spectrum sale but will only target tiny chunks in markets where its airwave holdings are expiring next year, the company’s senior management said at an analyst event on Thursday.

The company added that it will refarm its mid-band airwaves (read: 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz) for 5G services once 25-30% of smart devices in circulation become 5G-enabled from around 10-12% now, according to BofA Securities, which participated at SingTel’s analyst day event that hosted Bharti Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal and CFO Soumen Ray.