Ambani brothers' telecom firms in pact for spectrum sharing

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio today signed strategic partnership agreement with younger sibling Anil's Reliance Communications to share spectrum for providing high-speed telecom services.
"Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd and Reliance Communications today announced the signing of agreements for change in spectrum allotment in 800 MHz band across 9 Circles from RCom to RJIL, and for sharing of spectrum in 800 MHz band across 17 circles," the two firms announced.
"As part of the enhanced strategic collaboration, both companies also intend to enter into reciprocal Intra Circle Roaming arrangements," they said.
RCom said access to enhanced spectrum footprint in the 800 MHz band "will complement RJIL's LTE services rollout, providing increased network coverage and superior service quality".

The spectrum arrangements between RJIL and RCom will result in network synergies, enhanced network capacity and will optimise spectrum utilisation and capex efficiencies, it added.
Both operators anticipate considerable savings in operating costs and future investment in Rcom's customers will benefit from access to Reliance Jio's world class nationwide 4G LTE network under the reciprocal sharing and ICR agreements.
The arrangements are subject to liberalisation of RCom spectrum in the 800 MHz band and obtaining requisite approvals.
These agreements further strengthen the comprehensive framework of business co-operation between RJIL and RCcom Group, following the nationwide long term IRU agreements for inter and intra city optical fibre networks, and for sharing of telecom tower infrastructure, the company said.