- We are participating in the 5G spectrum auction to provide private network solutions along with enhanced cyber security in the airport, ports & logistics, power generation, transmission, distribution, and various manufacturing operations
- Also, if we are awarded 5G spectrum in the open bidding, it will also align with our recent announcement of significantly increasing the Adani Foundation’s investments in Education, Healthcare and Skill Development in rural areas
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JULY 9
Setting the speculations on its possible entry into the telecom industry to rest, billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Group has put in an application to take part in India’s first auction of the 5G spectrum on July 26, says a company spokesperson here on Sunday.
Established players like Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, and Bharti Airtel have also joined the race for the 5G bandwidth, required for high-speed internet connectivity.
According to the Adani spokesperson, “We have received a lot of inquiries about our interest in the 5G space. Our intention is not to be in the consumer mobility space. As India prepares to roll out next generation 5G services though this auction, we are one of the many applicants participating in the open bidding process. We are participating in the 5G spectrum auction to provide private network solutions along with enhanced cyber security in the airport, ports & logistics, power generation, transmission, distribution, and various manufacturing operations.”
“Also, if we are awarded 5G spectrum in the open bidding, it will also align with our recent announcement of significantly increasing the Adani Foundation’s investments in Education, Healthcare and Skill Development in rural areas, each of which stands to benefit from 5G technology. In addition, as we build our own digital platform encompassing super apps, edge data centres, and industry command and control centres, we will need ultra high quality data streaming capabilities through a high frequency and low latency 5G network across all our businesses. All of this is aligned with our nation building philosophy and supporting an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the spokesperson added.
The move would expand the conglomerate’s presence to a sector dominated by established players like Reliance Jio, which is part of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance group, Sunil Mittal-controlled Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea Ltd.
The telecom department’s upcoming auction includes the coveted 5G band needed for high-speed internet connectivity.
The four players would first have to provide ownership details by July 12 and later a bidder-ownership compliance certificate. After that, there will be a pre-qualification of bidders. The companies will have the right to withdraw auction applications by July 19 and bidders will be announced the next day. The auction is expected to begin on July 27.
Incidentally, Adani Group has tied up with international company EdgeConnex for a 50-50 joint venture to build and operate large data centres in Chennai, Navi Mumbai, Noida, Vizag, and Hyderabad.
Adani’s enterprise data business will compete with Indian telecom companies and international tech giants like Amazon and Google. It would be a smart move to buy a limited quantity of millimetre band spectrum — it offers high speed and is relatively cheap – and support it by a small amount of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band.
