Hot Competition To Build 5G In India

Uploaded on 2022-08-09 in GOVERNMENT-National, FREE TO VIEW, BUSINESS-Services-IT & Telecoms

The government of India is offering 72 gigahertz of spectrum in an auction of which 71% has now been sold in, attracting bids worth $19bn. This has exceeded expectations as total bids had more than doubled since the last auction in March 2021. 

The bids came from the three existing network operators in India,  Reliance-Jio or (R-Jio), Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel and from a new entrant, Adani Data Networks.

India's massive sales auction for 5G airwaves has become a competition between businesses owned by two of Asia's richest men, Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. Ambani's R-Jio emerged as by far the largest bidder, buying spectrum worth $11bn, the remaining bids came from Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. In contrast, the Adani group spent only about $26m.

While Bharti Airtel and R-Jio reportedly bid for pan-India airwaves, Vodafone Idea spent only in priority sectors. 

"Jio is fully ready for 5G rollout in the shortest period of time because of its nationwide fibre presence... and strong global partnerships across the technology ecosystem," R-Jio said in a statement. The Adani Group bid on private spectrum that would be accessible in specific areas such as ports or airports - a sector in which the company has already heavily invested.

Mr Ambani's R-Jio is now a familiar name in India's Internet market, Mr Adani is a surprise bidder - he controls a sprawling business that spans ports, airports and power, and recently displaced Bill Gates to become the world's fourth-richest person, with a net worth more than $112bn. 

While the Adani Group has said it was not interested in competing in the wider market outside of the private spectrum, some commentators think this could just be the first step in that direction. "We believe if the Adani Group does end up buying spectrum in the upcoming auction, it could potentially increase competition... in addition to opening the doors for the Adani Group to expand into consumer mobile services over time," analysts at Goldman Sachs commented. 

The introduction of 5G in India is intended to introduce a new era of high-speed Internet, enabling the use of advanced connected devices through cloud computing technologies. 

With higher speeds on offer, Indian telecom companies are expected to benefit from charging higher prices for 5G - they have so far refrained from charging more for 4G plans as compared to 2G or 3G plans and likely lead to higher revenues for telecom companies, following a costly price war in previous years.

Despite the high prices being paid for spectrum, India is expected to deploy 5G slowly and right now only about 7% of India's overall smartphone base is 5G-enabled. 

Record proceeds from the auction - the highest compared to the previous seven rounds since 2010 - will help government finances at a time when India's fiscal deficit is at an historic high point. It is estimated  that India's Department of Telecommunications will receive $1.6bn upfront and the government is expected to complete allocating airwaves start delivering 5G services in October.

Economic Times:   CRISIL:    Newsmaker:    BBC:    Bloomberg:    Bloomberg:    Focus Technica: 

You Might Also Read: 

India’s New National Cyber Security Strategy:

 

« US Federal Court Court IT Systems Breached
Dealing With Cyber Security Threats Is Hard Work »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Go Cyber

Training that transforms behaviours

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

Tendo Solutions

Tendo Solutions

Tendo Solutions provides intelligence, security, forensics and risk solutions to clients across different sectors and jurisdictions.

CERT.RO

CERT.RO

CERT.RO is the national Computer Emergency Response Team of Romania

Cydome Security

Cydome Security

Cydome offer solutions to protect your sensitive data even when it leaves the organization perimeter.

GreatHorn

GreatHorn

GreatHorn offers the only cloud-native security platform that stops targeted social engineering and phishing attacks on communication tools like O365, G Suite, and Slack.

Vintegris

Vintegris

Vintegris are a Certification Authority and manufacturer of innovative systems and applications for the full cycle of digital identity.

DataArt

DataArt

DataArt is a global technology consultancy that designs, develops and supports unique software solutions. Areas of activity include software security testing.

Sysdig

Sysdig

With Sysdig teams find and prioritize software vulnerabilities, detect and respond to threats, and manage cloud configurations, permissions and compliance.

Argo Group

Argo Group

Argo is an international underwriter of specialty insurance. Argo Cyber offers a full spectrum of coverage solutions related to professional and technology services.

IntelligInts

IntelligInts

IntelligInts provide 24×7 threat monitoring, hunting, alerting, and mitigation in our world class Security Operations Center.

Visible Statement

Visible Statement

Visible Statement is a computer-based delivery system designed to insure the retention and recall of your most important security training messages.

Zephyr Project

Zephyr Project

The Zephyr Project strives to deliver the best-in-class RTOS for connected resource-constrained devices, built to be secure and safe.

Cyberi

Cyberi

Cyberi provide specialist technical consultancy and cyber advisory services, from penetration testing and assurance to incident management and response, and technical security research.

Strike Security

Strike Security

Strike Security offers a continuous penetration testing platform that combines automation with ethical hackers.

Oman Technology Fund (OTF)

Oman Technology Fund (OTF)

Oman Technology Fund aims to make Oman the preferred destination for emerging tech companies in the region, and an attractive and stimulating destination for venture capital.

Digimune

Digimune

Digimune is an all-encompassing cloud-based cyber risk protection platform that guards you against the dangers of our digital world.

Cyberani Solutions

Cyberani Solutions

Cyberani Solutions was created to fulfill the cybersecurity needs of industry and government in Saudi Arabia, and across the Middle East and North Africa regions.