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5G spectrum auction: Why the 700-MHz band is on telcos' bandwidth

It is 5x more efficient, compared to the 1800 MHz for rural area coverage, and twice as efficient as 900 MHz

telecom, trai, mobile, data, internet, smarphone, tech, 4g, 5g, tower, spectrum auction
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The 700-MHz band also supports standalone 5G networks, in which the network, as well as the core, is powered by 5G

Surajeet Das Gupta New Delhi
The 700-megahertz (MHz) spectrum band — widely used by telecommunication companies (telcos) in the West for a cost-efficient deployment of the 5G technology — has gained traction among telcos in India.

If in the previous airwave auction the band found no takers, why is it now crucial to 5G roll-out?

It is believed that Reliance Jio, which is rumoured to have won 10 MHz in the band across the country, could well have a clear edge over its rivals in the 5G sweepstakes. However, it was not sold in the last two auctions due to a very high base price,