Vodafone has announced that on 19 May 2010, it successfully secured 2x5 MHz of 3G spectrum in nine circles in the Indian auction for a total price of 11,617Cr Rupees (£1.74 billion).
These circles include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and a further 3 ‘A’ circles and 3 ‘B’ circles providing a strategic footprint covering 66% of Vodafone Essar’s current revenue base.
Vittorio Colao, chief executive of Vodafone, said: "This has been a very competitive auction for limited amounts of spectrum. Vodafone has secured a strategic footprint covering a large proportion of our existing and future revenues, particularly in the Metropolitan areas."
The nine circles cover 66% of Vodafone Essar revenue, more than 50% of the urban population and more than 50% of India GDP.