Ril Ahead In The Race To Win The Bid For The 2g Spectrum
RIL (Reliance Industries Limited) s 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) services has created
a lot of buzz as it is the only company to hold the PAN India License for 4G Broadband services. While scores of people have been highly anticipating their 4GLTE service that is set to roll out in the coming ten months across the country, it has upped the ante by bidding for 1800 MHz band in 2G spectrum in the forthcoming auction. This will make it possible for the company to cater for the provision of voice services with this 4G LTE network.
Its foray in this bid has created a stir in the telecom sector, as the competition is set to intensify. A leading official from the company mentions that Infotel Broadband is Mukesh Ambanis dream project that is very close to his heart. He will not leave any stone unturned to be the pioneer in the telecom sector. There are chances that he may even provide free voice services along with the data services to his consumers. RIL had earlier announced that it would set up around 1, 00,000 towers pulling out from the asset- light model. Besides, it also manages RoW (Right of Way) processes across the country. Mukesh Ambani owned Infotel Broadband would further gain ground in the telecom sector if it were able to put into effect its plans of introducing inexpensive tablets at prices less than Rs.3000.
4G LTE services are the most sought out services with it serving to the state of the art technology. Data transmission via 4G LTE services is 16 times the speed of 2G and four times the speed of 3G. With RIL rolling out the 4G services, companies who have infused a colossal amount of money for buying the 3G spectrum will be at a loss. The huge cash reserves of RIL enable it to stay ahead of other competitors who are in a predicament considering the amount required for refarming the spectrum the next year which is Rs.40, 000 crore. RIL has also been setting its sight at the 700 MHz of spectrum.
RILs participation in this bid for 2G spectrum was a strenuous one considering the number of problems it had to surmount. Many leading companies opposed its chipping in the bid as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to bid for the 2G spectrum. However, the New National Telecom Policy came as a relief that allowed companies with ISPS and VOIP (voice over internal protocol) licenses to be eligible to bid in this auction.