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Tag: Reliance Jio

  • Road forward for RIL: Affordable smartphone, tie-ups with FB, Google

    Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Wednesday stated it’s working with Microsoft to reinforce adoption of main applied sciences like knowledge analytics, synthetic intelligence (AI), cognitive companies, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and edge computing amongst small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
    “Strategic initiatives along with Facebook and Google will enhance consumer service offerings and facilitate greater digital inclusion in India,” RIL stated in its Annual Report for FY21.
    RIL arm Jio Platforms and Qualcomm have collaborated for native manufacturing of essential tools to catalyse the 5G ecosystem in India, the report stated. “In collaboration with Google as a strategic partner and investor, Jio aims to develop an entry-level affordable smartphone with an optimised operating system. Reliance aims to make India a ‘2G Mukt Bharat’ with the launch of Jio phones, which aim to upgrade 300 million 2G users to 4G.”
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    It added that Qualcomm and Jio efficiently examined 5G options in India, reaching the 1 Gbps milestone on the Jio 5G answer. “We are also excited with the development of a new generation cloud native 5G RAN technology that is truly open, and software defined. Qualcomm and Jio successfully tested 5G solutions in India, achieving the 1 Gbps milestone on Jio 5G solution,” RIL stated.

  • US hails India’s determination to not permit Chinese firms to conduct 5G trials

    Top US lawmakers have applauded India’s determination to not permit Chinese telecom firms to conduct 5G trials within the nation.
    The Department of Telecom in India on Tuesday had accredited purposes of telecom firms Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and MTNL to conduct 5G trials however none of them could be utilizing applied sciences of Chinese entities.
    “India’s decision to exclude Huawei and ZTE from its 5G trials is good news for the people of India and the world,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican and China Task Force Chairman Michael McCaul stated in an announcement on Wednesday.

    “People’s Republic of China law requires any Chinese company, including Huawei and ZTE, to work for the Chinese Communist Party if asked,” McCaul stated.
    The earlier Trump administration had designated Chinese tech firms as posing a nationwide safety threat.

    The US can be asking its buddies and allies to not go for a know-how that’s managed by the Communist Party of China.
    “It’s a risk that can’t be mitigated unless these companies are excluded from our networks, and I’m glad that India has recognized this threat. India has once again proven why it is a global leader in the fight against security threats posed by CCP-controlled technology,” McCaul stated.
    Congressman Mike Waltz additionally thanked India for its determination.
    “Thank you to India for denying the inclusion of CCP-run Huawei in their telecommunications,” he stated.
    “As the world’s largest democracy, India will be a critical ally in confronting China and securing our supply chains,” Waltz stated.

  • Chinese corporations saved out of 5G trials, China expresses concern

    CHINA HAS expressed “concern and regret” on the Indian authorities’s resolution to maintain Chinese telecom corporations reminiscent of Huawei out of the 5G trials.
    On Wednesday, a Chinese embassy spokesperson mentioned, “We noted relevant notification, and express concern and regret that Chinese telecommunications companies have not been permitted to conduct 5G trials with Indian Telecom Service Providers in India.”
    “Relevant Chinese companies have been operating in India for years, providing mass job opportunities and making contribution to India’s infrastructure construction in telecommunications. To exclude Chinese telecommunications companies from the trials will not only harm their legitimate rights and interests, but also hinder the improvement of the Indian business environment, which is not conducive to the innovation and development of related Indian industries.”
    “The Chinese side hopes that India could do more to enhance mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries, and provide an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory investment and business environment for market entities from all countries, including China, to operate and invest in India,” the spokesperson mentioned in a press release.

    The Department of Telecommunications on Tuesday allowed three personal telcos, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Vi (previously Vodafone Idea) in addition to state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) to begin 5G trials within the nation. The preliminary length of the trial will likely be six months, which incorporates two months for procurement and establishing of kit.
    The two main Chinese telecom tools and know-how distributors, Huawei and ZTE, have been absent from the associate listing of the three personal telcos and MTNL. While there isn’t any official bar on the deployment of kit and know-how from these two distributors, they’ve successfully been neglected of the trials as no telcos requested permission to make use of their tools.

    Though Huawei is the world’s largest maker of telecom tools and the second-largest maker of cell phone elements, the corporate’s alleged relationship with the Chinese Communist Party and China’s navy equipment landed it in hassle greater than as soon as and ultimately led to a ban on utilization in a number of international locations such because the US and UK.
    In December 2019, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had mentioned all firms, together with Huawei and ZTE, could be permitted to take part within the trials for 5G providers. A border skirmish in June 2020, which left over 20 Indian troopers lifeless, nonetheless, solid shadow on the 2 firms’ means to take part in any telecom tenders.

  • DoT approves telcos’ functions for 5G trials; no Chinese tech for trials

    The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Tuesday allowed the three non-public telcos, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Vi (previously Vodafone Idea) in addition to state-run telco Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) to begin 5G trials within the nation. The preliminary length of the trial can be 6 months, which incorporates 2 months for procurement and establishing of kit.
    “The trials are important because they reduce the time gap between 5G spectrum auction and roll out. On earlier occasions, trials happened after auctions. Now we are gaining time,” DoT Secretary Anshu Prakash advised The Indian Express. The significance of 5G, Prakash mentioned, is usually within the utility of expertise and the federal government would need it to be put to make use of in telemedicine, schooling, agriculture, and public security, amongst others.
    For the trials this time, the telecom service suppliers (TSPs) must conduct assessments within the rural and semi-urban settings along with their typical city settings, the DoT mentioned, in order that check circumstances could be developed and examined for all customers. 5G or fifth era is the newest improve within the long-term evolution cellular broadband networks. 5G primarily works in 3 bands, particularly low, mid and high-frequency spectrum — all of which have their makes use of and limitations.
    During the trial section over the following 6 months, the 4 telcos will get frequencies for testing within the 3.2 GHz to three.67 GHz or the millimetre wave band and 24.25 GHz to twenty-eight.5 GHz band, amongst others. Apart from this, telcos may even be allowed to make use of their present spectrum within the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2500 MHz band frequencies for the trials.
    “Trials will be on a non-commercial basis. The data generated during the trials shall be stored in India. TSPs are also expected to facilitate the testing of the indigenously developed use cases and equipment as part of the trials,” the DoT mentioned, urging the telcos to additionally conduct trials utilizing 5Gi tech.

    Of the 4 telcos which were given the go-ahead to conduct the trials, the non-public telcos, Bharti Airtel, Jio and Vi, have tied up with Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung, respectively. State-run MTNL alternatively has partnered the Centre for Development of Telematics for unique tools and expertise for use in 5G trials, the DoT mentioned. “TSPs have a chance to choose vendors, their technology, and equipment by the conduct of trials. 5Gi, which has been advocated by India is also likely to be tested,” Prakash mentioned.
    The two main Chinese telecom tools and expertise distributors, Huawei and ZTE are conspicuous by their absence from the companion checklist of the three non-public telcos or the state-run telco MTNL. While there is no such thing as a official bar on the deployment of kit and expertise from these two distributors, they’ve successfully been omitted of the trials as no telcos requested permission to make use of their tools. “We can only give permissions based on what the telco asked. No telcos asked to use their (Huawei and ZTE) equipment,” a senior DoT official mentioned.

    Though Huawei is the world’s largest maker of telecom tools and the second-largest maker of cell phone components, the corporate’s alleged relationship with the Chinese Communist Party and China’s army equipment had landed it in bother greater than as soon as and finally led to a ban on utilization in a number of international locations such because the US and the UK. In India, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had in December 2019 mentioned all firms, together with Huawei and ZTE, can be permitted to take part within the trials for 5G companies. A border skirmish in April 2020, which left over 20 Indian troopers useless, nonetheless, solid shadows on the 2 firms’ means to take part in any telecom tenders.

  • Jio inks take care of Airtel to purchase some 800 MHz spectrum for Rs 1,497 cr

    Reliance Jio Infocomm on Tuesday mentioned it had entered right into a definitive settlement with its market rival Bharti Airtel to accumulate some spectrum within the 800 MHz band within the Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, and Mumbai for an combination worth of Rs 1,497 crore.
    The spectrum buying and selling settlement, which is the primary such deal between the main telcos, will assist Reliance Jio develop its footprint in these three circles and increase its community capability in these areas.
    “The trading agreement is in accordance with the Spectrum Trading Guidelines issued by the Department of Telecommunications and is subject to the requisite regulatory and statutory approvals,” Reliance Jio mentioned in a press release.
    Of the entire worth of the deal, Bharti Airtel will obtain Rs 1,037.6 crore from Reliance Jio for the proposed switch, whereas Reliance Jio will assume future liabilities of Bharti Airtel, associated to the spectrum, price Rs 459 crore.
    “The sale of the 800 MHz blocks in these three circles has enabled us to unlock value from the spectrum that was un-utilised. This is aligned to our overall network strategy,” mentioned Gopal Vittal, Bharti Airtel’s managing director and chief govt officer for India and South Asia.

  • Reliance Jio to aggressively achieve MSME subscribers

    Image Source : PTI Reliance Jio to aggressively achieve MSME subscribers
    As per a report by BofA Securities, Jio is trying to replicate cellular traction on MSME entrance. “Amongst the 50 million MSME, we consider 15-20 million to be the addressable market for this offering currently. Over time with rising GDP/capital and recent focus on the government’s “Make in India” initiative we expect room for the addressable market to expand,” the report mentioned.

    “By offering a bundled connectivity plan at 1/10th the existing price (Rs 15-20K/month) in the market, Jio is looking to expand the addressable market,” it added.

    “We note that the current SME market is underserved with cos like Tata Teleservices, Bharti focusing more on the larger enterprises. In our view these offers don’t have much impact on competitors like Bharti as no players address this market effectively. One of the reasons the SME market is underserved is because these merchants are notoriously difficult to monetize and are a very price sensitive base,” it mentioned.

    On the optimistic entrance, Covid has accelerated the digital adoption by these retailers and they’re extra open to digitizing their enterprise. “We expect the traction to be gradual from this offering & don’t expect it to contribute meaningfully to RIL’s consolidated revenue/EBITDA,” the report added.

    RIL’s subsidiary Jio launched an built-in providing for micro, SMBs offering enterprise grade fiber connectivity, digital and gadgets that allow main digital options. The packs provide reasonably priced entry factors beginning as little as Rs 900 and are tiered as much as Rs 10K.

    In addition to Microsoft’s suite of companies together with MS 365 and MS Teams, Jio can be providing in-house digital options like JioAttendance, JioMeet instruments at no extra price.

    UBS mentioned in a report that whereas Jio claims the beginning plan of Rs 901/month is one-tenth of present worth out there, it’s robust to make comparisons given the prevailing merchandise aren’t commonplace.

    “We have currently built-in 3 million MSMB fiber subs in FY22E increasing to 7.5mn subs in FY25E, with segment ARPU in the range of Rs 1,100-1,200/month,” it mentioned.

    The newly launched ARPUs are within the vary of our estimates, and therefore supportive of our DCF valuation of Jio. Differentiated choices might drive sooner adoption The options are unfold throughout choices associated to connectivity (corresponding to limitless fiber broadband and voice, fastened cellular convergence, and static IP); digital options (together with Microsoft365 with Office Apps, Outlook Email, One Drive, Teams, Jio Attendance, JioOnline, JioMeet, and Microsoft Teams); and lastly device-as-a-service and particular gadget provides (from Reliance Digital), below seven completely different tariff plans.

    Integrated ready-to-use choices, assisted gross sales and onboarding, and digital account administration might allow Jio to aggressively achieve MSMB subs, like they did in mobility and residential broadband segments.

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  • Spectrum sale: Higher than DoT estimate, however 20% of base worth

    The authorities mopped up a further Rs 668 crore on day two of the spectrum public sale for 4G, bringing the full to Rs 77,814 crore, Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash stated on Tuesday.
    Though the full quantity — at greater than Rs 77,800 — is way increased than the federal government expectations of Rs 45,000-Rs 50,000 crore, it is just about 20 per cent of the bottom worth of Rs 3.97 lakh crore that was set by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the spectrum public sale. Of the full 2,308 megahertz (MHz) spectrum that was up for grabs, the DoT managed to promote 855.60 MHz spectrum during the last two days.
    Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio Infocomm emerged as the very best bidder within the 4G auctions concluded on Tuesday, having bid for 488.35 MHz of the full 855.60 MHz spectrum that was offered over the 2 days.
    Its rival Bharti Airtel was not far behind and acquired a complete of 335.45 MHz of the full accessible spectrum offered over the 2 days.
    On the opposite hand, Vodafone Idea — which had a gross debt of roughly Rs 1.18 lakh crore as of June 2020 — purchased solely 11.8 MHz spectrum, Prakash stated.
    As anticipated, there have been two extra rounds of bidding on Tuesday, along with the 4 that had been carried out on Monday. There had been no bids for the 700 MHz and the two,500 MHz bands even on day two, he added.
    Among the telcos, Reliance Jio spent Rs 57,122.65 crore and Bharti Airtel purchased Rs 18,698.75 crore, whereas Vi spent Rs 1,993.40 crore to purchase spectrum.
    All the spectrum auctioned off over the 2 days was offered on base worth, with the utmost bidding seen within the 800 MHz frequency band. Of the full 230 MHz spectrum accessible within the 800 MHz band, about 150 MHz or 65 per cent was offered.
    On Tuesday, the DoT additionally revised its estimates of upfront cost receipts for this monetary yr. The Department now expects cost of as much as Rs 20,000 crore from the three telecom operators by March 31.
    Prakash stated an interministerial committee of the telecom ministry and the Finance Ministry will meet over the subsequent 10 days and provides its remaining approval for the auctions carried out during the last two days.
    “Most of the operators have consolidated their positions in the existing spectrum bands in which they were operating and taken spectrum in the bands,” he added.

    For the auctions this time, the federal government has placed on provide frequencies within the 700, 800, 900, 1,800, 2,100, 2,300, and a pair of,500 MHz bands. A complete 2,251 MHz of spectrum for a reserve worth of Rs 3.92 lakh crore are up for bids.
    On Monday, the Centre had obtained bids within the 800,900, 1,800, 2,100 and a pair of,300 MHz bands, whereas no bids had been obtained within the 700 MHz and a pair of,500 MHz bands. Government officers, nevertheless, stated that the worth of excessive base worth 700 MHz band and the truth that it may also be utilized in 5G companies could possibly be one of many causes the spectrum in that band remained unsold.
     
     

  • Spectrum auctions: Reliance Jio says complete owned radiowaves footprint up considerably

    Image Source : PTI Spectrum auctions: Reliance Jio says complete owned radiowaves footprint up considerably
    India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio, on Tuesday stated it has efficiently acquired spectrum in all 22 circles within the just-concluded auctions, and that its owned radiowave footprint has risen “significantly” by 55 per cent by way of the acquisition. Jio – which emerged as the highest purchaser choosing up spectrum for Rs 57,122.65 crore within the auctions – stated it has well-balanced spectrum for companies and future upgradation to 5G expertise.
    In all, India’s first public sale of telecom spectrum in 5 years fetched Rs 77,814.80 crore. Bharti Airtel acquired spectrum price Rs 18,698.7 crore whereas Vodafone Idea picked up airwaves for Rs 1,993.40 crore.
    Reliance Jio stated its acquired spectrum might be utilised for transition to 5G companies on the “appropriate time”, the place it has developed its personal 5G stack.
    Jio – which had 408.7 million subscribers as on December — has acquired spectrum in 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands within the spectrum auctions that concluded on Tuesday.
    Airwaves come in several bands which help totally different propagation traits for transmission of voice and information. For occasion, decrease bands like 800 MHz and 900 MHz help an excellent indoor protection whereas increased bands like 2300 MHz have an excellent carrying capability.
    The airwaves are additionally offered in portions measured as MHz. The auctions permits firms to make use of Government owned airwaves for carrying alerts for information and voice, for a selected time frame.
    In a press release, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries, stated: “With our elevated spectrum footprint, we’re able to additional broaden the digital footprint in India in addition to get ourselves prepared for the approaching 5G rollout.”

    Jio has revolutionised the digital panorama of India, with the nation turning into the quickest adopter of digital life, he stated.
    “We want to ensure that we keep on enhancing experiences, not only for our existing customers, but also for the next 300 million users that will move to digital services,” Ambani added.
    In the 800 MHz band, Jio has acquired spectrum for Rs 34,491 crore, in 1800 MHz for Rs 12,461 crore, and in 2300 MHz for Rs 10,170 crore, as per provisional estimates cited within the firm launch.
    The upfront cost in 800 MHz quantities to Rs 8,623 crore, in 1800 MHz (Rs 6,231 crore) and 2300 MHz (Rs 5,085 crore), with steadiness to be paid in the end as ‘deferred cost’.
    “Through this acquisition, RJIL’s total owned spectrum footprint has increased significantly, by 55 per cent to 1,717 MHz,” Jio assertion stated.
    The spectrum has been acquired in probably the most cost-efficient method with an efficient value of Rs 60.8 crore per MHz.
    “With the enhanced spectrum footprint, especially contiguous spectrum, and pan-India infrastructure deployed, RJIL has enhanced network capacity to service its existing users as well as hundreds of millions of more subscribers on its network,” the assertion stated. 
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  • Spectrum Auction: Rs 77K-crore bids for 4G airwaves exceed govt expectations

    The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) managed to mop up Rs 77,146 crore on the primary day of auctions of spectrum for 4G airwaves, as towards its expectations of Rs 45,000 crore, Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad mentioned on Monday.
    The DoT expects upfront fee between Rs 12,000 crore and Rs 13,000 crore for this and the subsequent monetary 12 months from the three personal telecom gamers — Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea — that bid for the airwaves this time, Prasad mentioned. This is towards the federal government’s personal estimates of Rs 6,000-7,000 crore within the present fiscal.
    Of the 4 rounds, there was 80 per cent bidding exercise within the first two rounds, which elevated to 90 per cent within the subsequent two rounds. The authorities expects two extra rounds of bidding on Tuesday. As per the norms, the spectrum offered shall be legitimate for 20 years. For the auctions this time, the federal government has placed on provide frequencies within the 700, 800, 900, 1,800, 2,100, 2,300, and a pair of,500 MHz bands. A complete 2,251 MHz of spectrum for a reserve value of Rs 3.92 lakh crore are up for bids.
    On Monday, the federal government obtained bids within the 800,900, 1,800, 2,100, 2,300 MHz bands whereas no bids had been obtained within the 700 MHz and the two,500 MHz bands. Government officers, nonetheless, mentioned that value of excessive base value 700 MHz band and the truth that it can be utilized in 5G companies might be the explanations the spectrum in that band remained unsold.
    “If we exclude the 700 and 2500 MHz bands, the bidding in the rest of the bands represents 60 per cent of spectrum put to auction,” Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash mentioned.
    Compared to 7 bidders in 2016, auctions this time had solely three bidders, which positioned bids for 37 per cent of the bids on provide by amount and 19 per cent by worth. Among all spectrum bands that had been offered Monday, about 65 per cent of the airwaves had been offered within the 800 MHz spectrum, whereas about 89 per cent of spectrum on provide was offered within the 2,300 MHz band. In the opposite bands, the three personal telcos bid for 38 per cent within the 900 MHz, 41 per cent within the 1,800 MHz and 9 per cent within the 2,100 MHz spectrum bands. The bidding within the 800 MHz spectrum represents 50 per cent of the whole airwaves offered on Monday, DoT officers mentioned.

    The unsold spectrum within the 700 and a pair of,500 MHz shall be despatched again to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for a contemporary reference, DoT officers mentioned, however didn’t touch upon whether or not the federal government can be open to decreasing the worth. In the absence of any public sale for 5G airwaves, most consultants had anticipated the public sale to be subdued. Having collected practically Rs 77,000 crore, authorities officers mentioned the auctions had exceeded their estimates and would fetch in some extra on Tuesday. “We will be coming out with details on 5G trials, real time testing and other details very soon,” a senior DoT official mentioned.

  • Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea apply for collaborating in spectrum public sale

    Image Source : PTI Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea apply for collaborating in spectrum public sale
    Telecom operators Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea on Tuesday submitted purposes to take part within the Rs 3.92 lakh crore spectrum public sale scheduled to start out from March 1, in response to official sources. This spherical of public sale will probably be held for two,251.25 Megahertz (MHz) in seven frequency bands — 700 Mhz, 800 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz 2100 Mhz, 2300 Mhz and 2500 Mhz — at a cumulative base worth of Rs 3.92 lakh crore.
    “Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea have submitted applications (for the spectrum auction),” an official supply advised PTI.
    Bharti Airtel’s 12.4 MHz of spectrum within the 900 MHz band and 47 MHz within the 1800 MHz band, in addition to Reliance Communications’ 44 MHz of spectrum within the 800 MHz band will come up for renewal.
    Vodafone Idea must renew 6.2 MHz of spectrum within the 900 MHz band and 38.2 MHz within the 1800 MHz band.
    Some consultants have been of the view that the loss-making telecom firm Vodafone Idea (VIL) might not take part within the public sale for renewal of spectrum in some circles.

    Telecom operators can get spectrum within the 900 megahertz band, getting used for 4G companies, within the upcoming public sale for lower than half the value in a number of circles in comparison with the quantity paid by telecos in earlier auctions.
    The base worth within the 800 Mhz band has been lowered as a result of spectrum on this band remained unsold in 15 of the 19 circles that have been put for public sale in 2016. Bids have been acquired just for radiowaves in Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan and UP East.
    According to ICICI Securities, the ultimate reserve worth for 800 MHz spectrum within the upcoming public sale is eighteen.5 per cent decrease than the October 2016 public sale worth, which ought to profit the related operators.
    The base worth of spectrum in 1800 Mhz band and 2300 Mhz band has been mounted 14.5 per cent and 17.5 per cent increased than the October 2016 base worth, in response to ICICI Securities.
    The Department of Telecom has additionally elevated base worth of 700 Mhz in North East and Jammu and Kashmir circles to Rs 34 crore in comparison with Rs 30 crore really useful by the telecom regulator Trai.
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