Vodafone India shifts 3G services to own network in north east

Going beyond intra-circle roaming agreements in Vodafone India has shifted 3G services to its own network in Shillong in Meghalaya, a move that will enable more than 2.8 lakh citizens of the city access its high-speed broadband services. The GSM operator has also deployed 68 new 3G towers in the city.

So far, Vodafone has been offering 3G services in Assam & North East circle through intra-circle roaming (ICR) agreements with other operators.

''With this launch, our valued customers across Shillong will now avail of faster, smarter, better speeds and superior data browsing experience at the existing 3G tariffs. Our aim is to accelerate mobile internet adoption through penetration, consumption and value addition, and we are confident that this move will facilitate in quicker adoption, better usage and a superfast internet experience on the go,'' said Alok Verma, business head, Assam & North East, Vodafone India.

The 3G services will help in providing service experience such as multimedia, high-speed mobile broadband, internet access with the ability to view video footage on mobile handsets.

Also, with a 3G phone and access to the 3G network, users can make video calls, watch live TV, access the high speed internet, download large email attachments faster and download music tracks, as well as the usual voice call and messaging services found in a mobile phone.

Vodafone India had acquired 2100 MHz spectrum for Assam & North East circle during March 2015 auctions. It has more than 4.8 million customers in the circle, of which 40 per cent are data users.

Vodafone has been rolling out its own 3G network in a phased manner across Assam & North East Circle. It recently announced the launch of its own 3G services in Jowai, Nongpoh and Tura in Meghalaya. Apart from these markets, Vodafone has also rolled out its own 3G network in Jorhat, Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Digboi, Tinsukia & Bongaigoan in Assam; Itanagar, Bomdila, Tawang, Along, Basar,Bhalukpong, Dirang, Changlang, Palin & Seppa in Arunachal Pradesh; and Kohima & Dimapur in Nagaland.