Airtel sells some 800 MHz spectrum in 3 circles to Jio for Rs 1,037.6 crore

Bharti has signed a definitive pact with Reliance Jio Infocomm to sell the ‘Right to Use’ of the Sunil Mittal-led telco's 800 MHz spectrum in Andhra Pradesh (3.75 MHz), Delhi (1.25 MHz) and Mumbai (2.50 MHz) for Rs 1,037.6 crore.

"Through this agreement, Airtel will receive a consideration of Rs 1037.6 crores from Jio for the proposed transfer. In addition, Jio will assume future liabilities of Rs 459 crores relating to the spectrum," Airtel said in a statement Tuesday.

Gopal Vittal, MD & CEO (India and South Asia), Bharti Airtel said: “The sale of the 800 MHz blocks in these three circles has enabled us to unlock value from spectrum that was unutilised. This is aligned to our overall network strategy.”

In a separate statement, Jio said with this trading of right to use spectrum, it will have 2X15MHz of spectrum in the 800MHz band in Mumbai circle and 2X10MHz of spectrum in the 800MHz band in Andhra Pradesh and Delhi circles, thereby further consolidating its spectrum footprint in these circles.

"With the enhanced spectrum footprint, especially contiguous spectrum, and superior infrastructure deployed, RJIL has further increased its network capacity," the Mukesh Ambani-owned telco said.