Spectrum Auction 2021 Ends, Reliance becomes biggest buyer with Rs 57,122 Crore Bid

Spectrum auction 2021 was concluded on Tuesday, after lasting for two days and six bidding rounds in total. Reliance Jio emerged as the biggest bidder, with Rs. 57,122.65 crores for 488.35MHz spectrum, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology said in a statement. The operator noted that with the fresh bidding, its spectrum footprint increased by 55 percent to 1711MHz and became the largest spectrum holdings in sub-GHz and 2300MHz. Bharti Airtel, on the other hand, emerged as the second-biggest bidder in the auction. It acquired 355.45MHz of airwaves at Rs. 18,698.75 crores. Vodafone Idea, which operates under the brand Vi, came last with 11.80MHz spectrum at Rs. 1,993.40 crores.

Through the latest spectrum auction, the government was able to garner Rs. 77,814.80 crores for the total of 855.60MHz spectrum. Incremental bids for Rs. 668.20 crores were notably made on Tuesday alone.