Airtel to buy Videocon spectrum in 6 circles for INR 44 bln

News Wireless India 17 MRT 2016
Airtel to buy Videocon spectrum in 6 circles for INR 44 bln

Indian operator Bharti Airtel has agreed to acquire Videocon Telecom's spectrum in six circles for INR 44.28 billion. Airtel will acquire rights to use 2x5 MHz spectrum in the 1800 MHz frequency band. The spectrum deal includes Videocon's spectrum in Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, UP (East), UP (West) and Gujarat. The spectrum license expires in December 2032.

Videocon acquired the spectrum in the 1800 MHz band in an auction held by India’s Department of Telecom (DoT) in November 2012, under a licence valid for 20 years. Videocon is currently providing GSM mobile services in the six circles. In March 2014, the DoT awarded Videocon the Unified License (Access Services) for the six circles, valid for 20 years.  

Videocon said the completion of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of the standard conditions, including conditions stated in the Spectrum Trading Guidelines.  

On 15 March, Idea and Videocon terminated their previously announced spectrum trading agreement. Back in November 2015, Videocon agreed to sell spectrum to Idea Cellular for INR 33.1 billion. Videocon was planning to transfer to Idea Cellular rights to use 2x5 MHz of spectrum in the 1800 MHz frequency band for the Gujarat service area and UP (West) service area. 

Categories:

Mobile

Companies:

Bharti Airtel,  Videocon,  Airtel,  Idea Cellular

Countries:

India

Tags:

Government telecommunications licensing, Wholesale

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