VODAFONE INDIA ACQUIRES SPECTRUM FOR ?1.9bn

RNS Number : 0650A

Vodafone Group Plc

14 February 2014

 



14 February 2014

VODAFONE INDIA ACQUIRES SPECTRUM FOR £1.9bn TO ENHANCE MOBILE SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS

Vodafone India has been awarded spectrum licences in 11 telecom circles in the Indian government's 900 MHz and 1800 MHZ spectrum auction, enabling the company to provide customers with enhanced mobile voice and data services across the country.

Vodafone India acquired a total of 23MHz in the 900MHz band in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata and 49MHZ in the 1800MHz band in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, UP East, Rajasthan, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. Vodafone's investment totals INR19,645 crores (£1.9bn¹) of which INR 5,600 crores (£540million¹) is payable in financial year 2013/2014 with the remainder payable in instalments starting in 2017.

Vodafone India has established a strong platform for 4G data services by buying 1800MHz spectrum in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Karnataka and Kerala, which account for more than 50% of data revenues and are expected to drive the adoption of 4G as was the case after the introduction of 3G services in 2010. Vodafone India also maintained its overall holdings of 900 MHz spectrum in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, and purchased 1800 MHz spectrum in four circles where its licences are due for extension in 2015.

Vodafone India has over 160 million customers, with the number of mobile internet users increasing 38% to 45.7 million in its most recent quarter. Data usage also continues to grow strongly with 3G usage now averaging in excess of 700MB per month. This spectrum and the continued investment in networks will enable Vodafone India to build on its success in delivering superior mobile services to its customers throughout India.

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About Vodafone

Vodafone is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies with approximately 419 million customers in its controlled and jointly controlled markets as of 31 December 2013. Vodafone has equity interests in telecommunications operations in nearly 30 countries and around 50 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com

Note to editors

¹At an exchange rate of £1.00: INR103.661

CIRCLE	EXISTING HOLDINGS		PURCHASED		POST PURCHASE
	900 MHz	1800 MHz	900 MHz	1800 MHz	900MHz	1800 MHz
Mumbai	8.0	2.0	11.0	8.20	11.0	8.2
Delhi	8.0	2.0	5.0	8.0	5.0	8.0
Kolkata	7.80	2.0	7.0	8.0	7.0	8.0
Karnataka	-	8.0		5.0		13.0
Kerala	6.20	1.25		7.0	6.20	8.25
Gujarat	7.80	2.0		4.40	7.80	6.40
UP East	6.20	3.25		4.0	6.20	7.25
Rajasthan	6.20	-		0.80	6.20	0.80
Haryana	6.20	2.50		2.40	6.20	4.90
Andhra Pradesh	-	6.20		0.60		6.80
Punjab	-	7.45		0.60	-	8.05

 

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