Aircel to launch 3G services in all 13 circles

Aircel today said the company will launch 3G services before start of world cup cricket in all 13 telecom circles where company has won spectrum for the services.

“We expect 3G presence in all circles where we have bagged spectrum before world cup begins on 19th February,” Gurdeep Singh, chief operating officer, Aircel said today.

When asked about the tariff, Mr. Singh said it will be competitive.

Talking about broadband wireless access (BWA) services, Mr. Singh said the high speed internet services will be launched by end of this year.

“We want to roll out 3G services first and see the response before launching BWA services which will be available by end of this year. By March, we should be able to decide whether we are going for LTE or wimax for BWA,” Mr. Singh said.

He declined to comment on investment the company will put in for marketing of 3G and BWA services.

Aircel won 3G spectrum in 13 circles in auction for Rs. 6499.46 crore and BWA spectrum in eight circles for Rs. 3,438.01 crore.

Aircel launches 3G experience zones

Gurdeep Singh (right), Chief Operating Officer, with actor Suriya, brand ambassador, Aircel, at the launch of 3G experience zone in Chennai, on Tuesday. Photo: Bijoy Ghosh 

 

Aircel is planning for commercial launch of its 3G services soon, according to Gurdeep Singh, Chief Operating Officer.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Singh said to enable consumers to access and know more about 3G services, the company has set up four experience Aircel 3G zones in Chennai. Launching the 3G experience zone here, actor Suriya made the first 3G video call on Aircel network. “It is truly an amazing experience,” he said.

Mr. Singh said Aircel has become the first telecom service provider to launch 3G experience zone in Chennai, he said. The 3G experience zones would provide hands-on experience for customers on 3G services. Aircel would make available services such as interactive video voice response (IVVR), 3G pocket internet portal and video calls, Mr. Singh said.

The company would invest around $500 million towards offering 3G facilities and an equal amount for expanding 2G services. The data centre in Bangalore would be upgraded to 3G, Mr. Singh said. On the mode of investment, he said “We are well funded”. The investment would be met through borrowing and shareholders equity.

Aircel, a part of Maxis Communications Berhad, Malaysia, is India's fifth largest GSM mobile provider with a subscriber base of over 47 million.

It is now present in 23 telecom circles.