Adani Group on Saturday announced its entry into the telecom industry. The company plans to use the airwaves for its data center, as well as build super apps to support everything from power distribution to airports and gas retailing to ports.
Announcing the same, the company released a statement where it said, “As India prepares to roll out the next generation of 5G services through this auction, we are looking at multiple applications participating in the open bidding process.” are one of them”.
“We are participating in the 5G spectrum auction to provide private network solutions along with enhanced cyber security across airports, ports and logistics, power generation, transmission, distribution and various manufacturing operations. “
“As we build our own digital platform incorporating SuperApps, edge data centers, and industry command and control centers, we will find ultra high quality data streaming through high frequency and low latency 5G networks across all of our businesses. capabilities will be required,” it said.
Applications to participate in the July 26 auction of airwaves, including fifth generation or 5G telecommunications services capable of providing ultra-high-speed internet connectivity, closed on Friday with at least four applications. Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea – the three private players in the telecom sector – applied.
The fourth applicant is Adani Group, which recently obtained National Long Distance (NLD) and International Long Distance (ILD) licenses. Adani said, “If we are offered 5G spectrum in open bidding, it will be in line with our recent announcement to significantly increase Adani Foundation’s investments in education, health care and skill development in rural areas, each of which is 5G. will benefit from the technology.” the group said. “It’s all connected with our nation-building philosophy and supporting an self-reliant India.”
As of the auction deadline, the applicants’ ownership details are to be published on July 12 and bidders should know by then. A total of 72,097.85 MHz of spectrum worth at least Rs 4.3 lakh crore will be put on the block during the auction that begins on July 26, 2022. The auction will be conducted for spectrum in various low (600 MHz, 700 MHz). 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz), mid (3300 MHz) and high (26 GHz) frequency bands.
The Ambanis and Adanis, who hail from Gujarat and have formed large business conglomerates, did not face-to-face until recently. While the former expanded from the oil and petrochemical business into telecommunications and retail, the latter expanded from the port segment to coal, power distribution and aviation. But increasingly, their interests are becoming overlapping, which some say is the stage for conflict. Adani has set up a subsidiary in recent months to foray into petrochemicals – a business that was started by Ambani’s father Dhirubhai before operating downstream and upstream.
Ambani has also announced multi-billion dollar plans for new energy business including giga factories for solar panels, batteries, green hydrogen and fuel cells. Adani, which had earlier announced plans to become the world’s largest renewable energy producer by 2030, has unveiled hydrogen ambitions. And now, if the Adani Group participates in the 5G auction on July 26, it will be the first direct competition with Ambani.
The cabinet last month approved 5G auctions at the reserve prices recommended by sector regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The regulator had recommended a cut of around 39 per cent in the minimum price for sale of 5G spectrum for mobile services. The validity of the right to use the spectrum will be 20 years.
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