Airtel tops in 5G spectrum payout

Bharti Airtel has made the largest upfront payment for 5G spectrum — a sum of Rs 8,312.4 crore equal to four annual instalments, while the rest restricted themselves to a single instalment. Reliance Jio paid its first instalment of Rs 7,864 crore, Adani Data Networks Rs 18.94 crore and Vodafone Rs 1,679 crore, sources said.

With this, the 5G bidders have paid a total sum of Rs 17,874 crore to the department of telecommunications. Apart from Airtel, other firms have not officially confirmed the payment.

Airtel said it believes the upfront payment, coupled with the moratorium on spectrum dues and AGR (adjusted gross revenue)-related payments for four years, will free up future cash flows and allow the company to dedicate resources and single-mindedly concentrate on the 5G rollout.