Voda Secures Indian 3G Spectrum

Vodafone has secured 2x5MHz of 3G spectrum in nine circles in the Indian auction for a total price of 11,617Cr Rupees (£1.74bn).

The circles include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and a further three grade ‘A’ and three grade ‘B’ circles, namely, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh E, and West Bengal. This gives a footprint covering 66 per cent of Vodafone Essar’s current revenue base, more than 50 per cent of the urban population, and more than 50 per cent of India GDP.

"This has been a very competitive auction for limited amounts of spectrum,” says Vodafone chief executive, Vittorio Colao. “Vodafone has secured a strategic footprint covering a large proportion of our existing and future revenues, particularly in the metropolitan areas."