India’s Bharti Airtel will become the first operator in country in the line-up to offer TD-LTE services when it switches on its network later this month. The mobile operator’s CEO Sanjay Kapoor itself stated that the network will launch first in Kolkata, then Maharashtra, Punjab, and Karnataka. The company said the equipment for the technology is provided by China’s ZTE and it will manage its network in Kolkata.
Sanjay Kapoor, CEO Bharti Airtel (India & South Asia) said, “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.”
In the same run, the company awarded Nokia Siemens Networks the similar contract for building and managing its TD-LTE network in Maharashtra with a deal reportedly to be worth $132 million.. “The current average cost of an LTE device is prohibitive for the uptake of mobile broadband for those on low incomes,” noted GSMA director general Anne Bouverot, in the report. “It is important that all citizens in India have access to high-speed Internet connectivity and the transformative opportunities it provides,” she said.
