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<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>New Delhi: Reliance Jio<\/a> is expected to spend Rs 94,000 crore over the next five fiscals to reach 95% 5G coverage<\/a> by FY2027. Similarly, Bharti Airtel<\/a> is expected to spend Rs 66,600 crore over the same period, to reach 85% 5G<\/a> coverage, as per a research report.

The report published by
ICICI Securities<\/a> claims 5G capital expenditure will be lower than 4G, as the previous generation was deployed over multiple spectrum bands. The 5G rollout is also assumed to be faster than 4G.

The research report notes Airtel has spent Rs 111,500 crore on
4G deployment<\/a> on 900, 1800, 2100, and 2300MHz bands over FY17-22, while Jio has invested Rs 166,800 crore on deploying 4G on 800, 1800, and 2300MHz bands.

Both Jio and Airtel have indicated large capex outflow for 5G over the next few years. Airtel has guided Rs 75,000 crore total capex outflow for the next three years, where capex will be relatively high in FY23 and FY24, and start tapering from FY25 onward.

However, I-Sec analysts predict the capex outflow will be slightly lower at Rs 45,400 crore over FY23-25, and Rs 66,600 crore over FY23-27. The report predicts 70% 5G coverage for Airtel by FY25 and 85% by FY27.

Similarly, Jio had announced total capex Rs 60,000-70,000 crore towards network rollout. I-Sec analysts predict this to be around Rs 66,500 crore invested on 5G and allied capex over FY23-25 to reach 75% 5G coverage, and Rs 94,000 crore over FY23-27 to reach 85% 5G coverage.

Bharti Airtel is rolling out non-standalone 5G using the 3500MHz band for downlink and L-1800 for uplink, which I-Sec claims will provide additional coverage. The capex spend therefore will go on mounting integrated radio and antenna, while 4G base stations will be used with additional 5G slots.

The second largest telecom operator has already deployed 5G networks in over 70 cities across all states of India. The company on Monday announced it has acquired 10 million unique 5G users. The report said Airtel is likely to cover 300 cities by March, 2023, and pan-India by end-March 2024.

On the other hand, Reliance Jio has aggressively covered 277 cities in India, targeting pan-India coverage by December 2023. The company has not disclosed the number of unique users on its
5G network<\/a>.

\"Jio<\/a><\/figure>

Jio True 5G services coverage expands to 277 cities<\/a><\/h2>

“We are proud to rollout Jio True 5G services in these 20 cities across 11 states\/UTs. With this launch, Jio users across 277 cities can enjoy the transformational benefits of Jio True 5G in the new year 2023,” said a Jio spokesperson.<\/p><\/div>

\"\"
<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>New Delhi: Reliance Jio<\/a> is expected to spend Rs 94,000 crore over the next five fiscals to reach 95% 5G coverage<\/a> by FY2027. Similarly, Bharti Airtel<\/a> is expected to spend Rs 66,600 crore over the same period, to reach 85% 5G<\/a> coverage, as per a research report.

The report published by
ICICI Securities<\/a> claims 5G capital expenditure will be lower than 4G, as the previous generation was deployed over multiple spectrum bands. The 5G rollout is also assumed to be faster than 4G.

The research report notes Airtel has spent Rs 111,500 crore on
4G deployment<\/a> on 900, 1800, 2100, and 2300MHz bands over FY17-22, while Jio has invested Rs 166,800 crore on deploying 4G on 800, 1800, and 2300MHz bands.

Both Jio and Airtel have indicated large capex outflow for 5G over the next few years. Airtel has guided Rs 75,000 crore total capex outflow for the next three years, where capex will be relatively high in FY23 and FY24, and start tapering from FY25 onward.

However, I-Sec analysts predict the capex outflow will be slightly lower at Rs 45,400 crore over FY23-25, and Rs 66,600 crore over FY23-27. The report predicts 70% 5G coverage for Airtel by FY25 and 85% by FY27.

Similarly, Jio had announced total capex Rs 60,000-70,000 crore towards network rollout. I-Sec analysts predict this to be around Rs 66,500 crore invested on 5G and allied capex over FY23-25 to reach 75% 5G coverage, and Rs 94,000 crore over FY23-27 to reach 85% 5G coverage.

Bharti Airtel is rolling out non-standalone 5G using the 3500MHz band for downlink and L-1800 for uplink, which I-Sec claims will provide additional coverage. The capex spend therefore will go on mounting integrated radio and antenna, while 4G base stations will be used with additional 5G slots.

The second largest telecom operator has already deployed 5G networks in over 70 cities across all states of India. The company on Monday announced it has acquired 10 million unique 5G users. The report said Airtel is likely to cover 300 cities by March, 2023, and pan-India by end-March 2024.

On the other hand, Reliance Jio has aggressively covered 277 cities in India, targeting pan-India coverage by December 2023. The company has not disclosed the number of unique users on its
5G network<\/a>.

\"Jio<\/a><\/figure>

Jio True 5G services coverage expands to 277 cities<\/a><\/h2>

“We are proud to rollout Jio True 5G services in these 20 cities across 11 states\/UTs. With this launch, Jio users across 277 cities can enjoy the transformational benefits of Jio True 5G in the new year 2023,” said a Jio spokesperson.<\/p><\/div>