The Indian telco currently offers 3G in almost 10,000 towns and cities; 4G LTE also expanding
Indian telecommunications operator Bharti Airtel plans to invest $1 billion during fiscal year 2015, ending March 2016, to expand its 3G network infrastructure and coverage across the country, according to a report published by Indian newspaper The Economic Times.
The operator aims to expand 3G infrastructure in the telecom circles where it currently operates as well as launch 3G services in new areas during the year. Airtel plans to use both 2100 MHz and 900 MHz spectrum to offer 3G services in 21 of the country’s 22 telecom circles.
The telco obtained new 900 MHz spectrum in eight circles during an auction in March. The company also successfully renewed 900 MHz spectrum in six circles and won 2100 MHz spectrum for 3G services in six new circles. In 2010, the operator acquired 3G spectrum in the 2100 MHz band to launch the service in 13 circles across India.
Airtel CEO for India and South Asia Gopal Vittal previously said that the operator plans to aggressively roll out 3G network infrastructure during the fiscal year, particularly in the first half.
By the end of March, the operator’s 3G coverage reached 9,951 towns and cities, with 3G towers accounting for approximately 33% of Bharti Airtel’s overall telecom towers in the country by the end of March, according to the company’s latest financial report.
Bharti Airtel also is offering 4G LTE services in 23 cities including Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chandigarh and Amritsar. The company is in the process of launching LTE in certain cities through a combination of both LTE-TDD and LTE-FDD. By the end of March, the operator had approximately 20,000 4G sites across India, but that is expected to grow to 40,000 by the end of March 2016, according to previous reports.
The operator had a total of 226 million mobile telephony subscribers across India by the end of March, up 10% year-on-year, with LTE customers reaching over 320,000. Bharti Airtel is owned by Indian holding group Bharti Enterprises and Singaporean operator SingTel.
