Jio, Airtel in position to buy pan-India spectrum, uncertainty on VIL bid

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are in a position to buy pan-India 5G spectrum but uncertainty remains around Vodafone Idea’s bids for the radiowaves, according to a BofA Securities report released on Monday.

The report noted that it would be difficult for any telecom company which has not bid for 5G spectrum in a particular circle to roll out 5G on the existing 4G bands because the existing networks are running at a capacity, and hence there is limited free spectrum which could be carved out.

“Higher reserve price is likely to disincentive any new telcos to bid in the auction and only telcos with strong balance sheets like RIL, Bharti are in a position to buy pan India 5G spectrum.