Airtel gets additional spectrum in 5 telecom circles
30 Jan 2008
Mumbai: Bharti Airtel has been allotted additional spectrum in five circles, which would enable it to meet its expansion requirements, the country's top mobile phone operator said.
Bharti Airtel said it had sought additional frequency in 10 circles, and has received spectrum allocation for the five circles of West Bengal, Gujarat, Assam, Haryana and UP (West) and is awaiting additional airwaves in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Chennai.
"We have received formal communication from the department of telecom for getting additional spectrum in five circles and we expect to receive airwaves in the other five circles in a couple of months," Manoj Kohli, Bharti Airtel president and CEO, said.
He said Bharti Airtel would add capacity rapidly and boost network operations, adding, the company would use best spectrum efficiency measures to make its network the most spectrum efficient.
Bharti Airtel, meanwhile, is in negotiations with the West Bengal government for land for setting up an eastern regional hub near Kolkata. The hub would serve West Bengal, including Kolkata, the North East, Assam, Orissa and Bihar.