Aircel launches GSM services in Bangalore; plans Rs1,100 crore investment in Karnataka
24 Feb 2009
Mobile service provider, Aircel today launched its GSM services in Bangalore as part of the company's plan for pan-India operation. Aircel plans to launch Hyderabad operations within 10 days.
Aircel, which is undertaking its second phase of expansion in Karnataka, said it will invest Rs1,100 crore over the next year to set up base stations across the state.
The company also plans to enter 6 more circles by April. The company said it will launch services in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), Mumbai and Maharashtra circles by April.
Chennai-based Aircel has so far spent Rs550 crore as start-up investment in Bangalore, becoming the ninth cellular operator to start operations in the city, its chief operating officer Gurdeep Singh said.
The company plans to set up 1,200 new base stations in Karnataka over the next two months, from the 500 base stations currently.
''Bangalore has a penetration rate of 78 per cent, and this is indicative of the huge potential the market holds for us. Many overseas markets have penetration rates in the region of 130 per cent or so. Hence, we see huge scope to widen the market further through innovative product launches and value-adds,'' Singh said.
At present, the company operates in 11 telecom circles, which include Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar, Orissa, Assam and Kerala.
