Idea Cellular has bought 349.2 MHz of spectrum for 12,798 crores in the auction that ended on Thursday.

In a press statement, Idea Cellular said that it had acquired additional 2x74.6 MHz spectrum in FDD technology on 1800 and 2100 bands, and 200 MHz of capacity spectrum in TDD technology on 2,300 and 2,500 bands. This will enable Idea cellular to offer broadband services throughout the country.

Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular Limited, 'While being prudent in its spectrum acquisition with less than 1 per cent premium paid over the DoT set reserve price, Idea in this auction, procures the highest ever, additional 37 Wireless Broadband Carriers reaching capability to use an overall 64 high speed Broadband carriers across bands of 900, 1800, 2100,2300 and 2500 MHz. We are pleased to share that now Idea is capable of deploying 3 to 7 broadband carriers in each of its 12 Leadership Markets gearing itself to substantially improve customer’s Wireless Data experience and capture higher share of exponentially growing Mobile Data business.’

Idea is now well equipped to offer 4G services on its own spectrum across 20 service areas including 9 new service areas of Uttar Pradesh (West), Uttar Pradesh (East), Gujarat, Bihar & Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Mumbai, West Bengal, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir. Additionally, Idea has also procured 3G spectrum in Bihar & Rajasthan extending its capability to offer 3G services to 15 service areas.

Idea in this auction has expanded its spectrum portfolio by over 64 per cent. The company has acquired an additional ‘35’ 4G LTE and ‘2’ 3G wireless broadband carriers for new coverage and capacity enhancement, primarily in its leadership markets. Idea now owns 64 broadband carriers and intends to use 47 of these carriers on 4G LTE technology covering 94% of its revenue base, and 17 carriers for 3G services. Idea broadband coverage will soon be available in all 22 service areas across the country. Idea through thisspectrum auction has strengthened its position in its strong high population leadership markets including Maharashtra and Goa, Uttar Pradesh – West & East, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, HP, Haryana and Punjab.