New Delhi, Aug 18 :  India is set to witness 5G roll-out soon with the government issuing the spectrum assignment letter to telecom companies.
Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday requested telecom service providers (TSPs) to prepare for 5G launch.
“Spectrum assignment letter issued. Requesting TSPs to prepare for 5G launch,” Vaishnaw tweeted.
The Minister had earlier said that consumers can access 5G services as early as October this year in some metros.
The government in July put 72,098 MHz spectrum to auction, of which 51,236 MHz (71 per cent of the total) was sold with total bid amounting to Rs 1,50,173 crore.
The total bid amount comprises the bids of Rs 212 crore by Adani Data Networks, Rs 43,048 crore by Bharti Airtel, Rs 88,078 crore by Reliance Jio Infocomm and Rs 18,799 crore by Vodafone Idea.
The telecom companies are preparing at jet-speed to launch 5G services.
Akash M Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Jio Infocomm had on August 1 said in a statement that Jio is committed to offering world-class, affordable 5G and 5G-enabled services.
He had said that Jio will provide services, platforms and solutions that will accelerate India’s digital revolution, especially in crucial sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and e-governance.
Bharti Airtel on Wednesday said that it has paid Rs 8,312.4 crore to the Department of Telecom towards dues for spectrum acquired in the recently concluded 5G auctions.
Speaking about the pre-payment of dues, Bharti Airtel MD & CEO Gopal Vittal said that the upfront payment of four years allows the company to drive 5G rollout in a concerted manner.
“Airtel also has access to Rs 15,740.5 crore in capital from the rights issue which is yet to be called. With the ideal spectrum bank, best technology and adequate free cash flow, we are excited to bring to the country a world class 5G experience,” he said.