Reliance Jio will pay the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) a sum of Rs 7,864 crore, according to reports. The telecom company is preparing to pay the amount towards the 5G spectrum’s second installment. To help with the launch of 5G, the telecom giant purchased spectrum from the DoT in 2022 for Rs 88,078 crore. Jio plans to make the next payment as part of its commitment to this spectrum acquisition since it wants to provide 5G service throughout all of India by the end of 2023.
Jio obtained spectrum for the development of its 5G network in the 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz bands. In addition to 5G SA (standalone) deployment, the business is getting ready to introduce 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access).
According to reports, the due date for Jio’s second installment payment is August 17, 2023. The DoT received an early payment of Rs 8,312.4 crore from Bharti Airtel, another significant participant in the Indian telecom industry, in August 2022 for a four-year advance payment toward the 5G spectrum instalment. Airtel may now concentrate on other network developments or think about paying for additional years of spectrum payments in advance thanks to this smart action.
The spectrum instalment payments for Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Adani Data Networks, who were also involved in the 2022 auctions’ purchase of spectrum, are shortly due. Due to challenges in acquiring money from the market, Vodafone Idea recently asked the government for a delay in making its required payments. It is yet unknown how these businesses will pay for their 5G spectrum installments.
Conclusion:-
Jio will pay the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Rs 7,864 crore for its second 5G spectrum installment. The telecom carrier bought the spectrum in 2022 for Rs 88,078 crore and expects to offer 5G nationwide by 2023. Jio obtained spectrum for its 5G network in 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz bands. The due date for Jio’s second installment payment is August 17, 2023. Airtel may now focus on network developments or consider paying for additional years of spectrum payments in advance. Vodafone Idea and Adani Data Networks are also due to make their 5G spectrum installment payments.