The Sunil Mittal-led telco is additionally opting for mass software program upgrades to transform its puzzle of 4G base terminals in these markets to send out 5G signals at practically 1/13th -1/ 20th of the price of investing in new 5G base terminals running on 3.5 GHz airwaves– widely called C-band 5G range– people knowledgeable about the issue stated.
Conversion of a 4G base station right into a 5G one via a software application upgrade is approximated to cost Airtel $1,000-1,500 vs getting a pure 5G version (running on C-band spectrum) that sets you back around $20,000, these individuals included.
Airtel’s biggest mid-band range holdings remain in the 2300 MHz (790 devices) and 1800 MHz (363 units) frequencies. In the last spectrum sale in June, it also intensified holdings in the sub-GHz 900 MHz band, currently accumulating 198 devices. A slice of 900 MHz spectrum will certainly additionally be refarmed to connect 5G protection spaces in markets where it’s currently seeing a jump in need through upgrades from 4G.
Airtel’s 5G individual base has currently broadened to 105 million in Q2FY25– from 90 million in Q1FY25– reflecting 30% infiltration, and the pattern is slated to continue in Q3FY25 and Q4FY25 in the middle of climbing schedule of 5G spending plan smartphones.
Bharti Airtel has embarked on a range sources optimisation technique by refarming 4G range, mostly in the 2300 MHz, 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands, to improve 5G coverage and capability in most state and rural (B&C) circles where it foresees a surge sought after for the next-gen mobile broadband service in 2025.
Nominations for ET MSME Honors are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Visit this site to send your entry for any several of the 22 classifications and stand a chance to win a distinguished honor.
To make sure, Airtel prepares to fully move its 5G mobile broadband services to the standalone (SA) mode in the next 3-4 years when require picks up and as even more 4G customers update to the next-gen service. The firm, though, is in no hurry to do this considering that such a workout would certainly involve another Rs 30,000-40,000 crore of financial investments on sub-GHz 5G range.
Throughout the telco’s monetary 2nd quarter profits call, taking care of director Gopal Vittal had actually claimed Airtel is using its “powerful mid-band spectrum (holdings) in mix with airwaves in the 3.5 GHz band to obtain the geographical reach and protection reach, which consequently, enables the company to operate 5G services on the NSA setting.
“Airtel is seeking to optimize expenses and airwave resources by selectively increasing 5G network capacity and insurance coverage in the B&C circles by refarming select 4G mid-bands where it has the fattest range holdings,” one of individuals pointed out told ET.
The company aims to reinforce its 4G and 5G networks and update its remaining 2G users in B&C circles amid competition from Dependence Jio, and even as Vodafone Concept (Vi) preps to rapidly revamp its 4G operations and launch 5G, backed by its recent fundraise via the equity path.
1 deferred spectrum instalments2 resources optimisation strategy
3 spectrum resources optimisation
4 Sunil Mittal-led telco
« Trai recommends issuing 5 Mhz spectrum more to railways in premium 700 Mhz band