Jio may spend Rs 800 billion on deploying 700MHz, 3.5GHz radio for 5G: Report

NEW DELHI: Telecom market leader Reliance Jio is likely to spend Rs 800 billion, or 40% of its Rs 2 trillion planned 5G network Capex on deploying 700MHz and 3.5GHz radio across 200,000 and 300,000 towers, respectively, according to the US-based venture capital firm Spark Capital.

“Standalone (SA) mode needs upgradation of core/transport upgradation cost which is assumed to be Rs. 250bn (~13%). While spectrum constitutes 43% (Rs ~0.9tn), cash flow is spread across 20 years. We don’t see need for infill towers in first 3 years of deployment. Life cycle cost of 5G (Spectrum+Infra+Opex) is estimated at Rs. 250bn p.a.,” the firm said in a report on Thursday.