Bharti Airtel to launch 4G services in Kolkata

Bharti Airtel to launch 4G services in Kolkata, appoints ZTE to supply and manage network

Bharti Airtel will launch its 4G services in Kotkata this month, Chief Executive Sanjay Kapoor said Tuesday. “It will be launched this month in Kolkata,” Kapoor told reporters on the sidelines of a telecom event.

The carrier has also appointed ZTE to supply and manage its 4G LTE network in Kolkata. “According to industry estimates, by 2016 – 6% of all mobile connections will have 4G connection, which would create 36% of the total mobile data traffic – thus paving way for the ensuing data revolution. The impending launch of 4G in the country will provide ultra high speed data access, driving fundamental changes in society at large. We look forward to the launch of 4G technology in India, which will be timed to match the world in its launch,” Kapoor said in a statement to announce the ZTE deal.

4G is a successor to the 3G and 2G families, and is expected to be five times quicker than 3G services. The firm bagged Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum in four circles — Kolkata, Maharastra, Punjab and Karnataka — for Rs.3,314.36 crore in 2010.

Another firm, Reliance Infotel, earlier known as Infotel Broadband Services, which won a pan-India licence for BWA spectrum, is yet to announce its roll-out plans for 4G services. Other firms which have won spectrum in the auction include Qualcomm, Tikona, Aircel and Augere.