Airtel’s 5G Power Play: Snaps Up 400 MHz of 26 GHz Spectrum to Dominate Six Key Indian Markets!

• Bharti Airtel Limited, along with its subsidiary Bharti Hexacom Limited, has signed agreements to acquire 400 MHz of spectrum in the 26 GHz band from Adani Data Networks Limited.

• This acquisition covers six crucial telecom circles: Gujarat (100 MHz), Mumbai (100 MHz), Andhra Pradesh (50 MHz), Rajasthan (50 MHz), Karnataka (50 MHz), and Tamil Nadu (50 MHz), significantly boosting Airtel’s 5G network capacity in these regions.

• The deal marks a major step in Airtel’s aggressive expansion of its 5G infrastructure, aiming to deliver ultra-fast data speeds, enhanced network capacity, and superior user experience across metros and tier-2 cities alike.

• Financial details of the transaction have not been officially disclosed, but industry estimates suggest a substantial investment.

• The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and compliance with India’s Spectrum Trading Guidelines before the transaction is finalized.

• Adani Data Networks originally acquired this 400 MHz spectrum in the 26 GHz band but did not launch any commercial 5G operations in these circles.

• The telecom regulations require operators to commercially launch 5G services within a stipulated time frame after spectrum acquisition, with penalties for non-compliance.

• Adani Data Networks had initially planned to use the spectrum for enterprise applications such as data centers, airports, gas retail, and port infrastructure, rather than public telecom services.

• With this transfer, Adani Data Networks appears to be exiting the telecom sector, handing over its spectrum rights to Airtel, which is poised to capitalize on this high-frequency band for both consumer and enterprise 5G solutions.

• The 26 GHz band is crucial for delivering high-capacity, low-latency 5G services, especially for dense urban areas and industrial applications requiring ultra-fast connectivity.

• Airtel’s acquisition strengthens its position as a leading 5G service provider in India, complementing its existing spectrum portfolio and enabling it to meet rising consumer and enterprise demand for high-speed internet.

• Airtel currently serves over 550 million customers across India and Africa and is among the top three mobile operators globally, with a strong focus on expanding its 5G footprint.

• The additional spectrum will help Airtel enhance its offerings including high-speed mobile broadband, enterprise connectivity, cloud services, and emerging technologies like IoT and Ad Tech.

• This move also intensifies competition in India’s telecom sector, where Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea are key players, as Airtel ramps up its network capabilities to attract and retain customers.

• The deal underscores Airtel’s commitment to accelerating India’s digital transformation by enabling faster, more reliable 5G connectivity in some of the country’s most populous and economically vital regions.

• Once the transaction is complete and regulatory approvals are secured, Airtel is expected to swiftly integrate the spectrum into its network to deliver next-generation 5G services.