Vodafone to launch 4G services by year-end
Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Kochi will be part of the first wave of the roll-out, the company said
New Delhi: Vodafone India Ltd, India’s second largest telco, will launch 4G services by the end of the year, the company announced on Friday.
“Important data markets including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Kochi will be part of the first wave of the roll-out," the company said in a statement. “In addition, Vodafone India will also roll out its own 3G networks in seven circles—Assam, North East, UP West, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala and Odisha—to expand its overall 3G footprint to 16 circles across the country."
In July, the company had announced that it was testing its 4G services after it acquired additional 4G spectrum in five circles, including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Kerala and Karnataka, in last year’s auction. “These circles together contribute close to 50% of the total data revenues for Vodafone India," the statement said.
The launch will make the Vodafone the third telco to launch 4G services after Bharti Airtel Ltd and Aircel Ltd. Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd is also expected to start rolling out services in December. While Bharti Airtel has rolled out its services in more than 300 cities, in 10 circles, Aircel is reported to have rolled it out in six circles. Reliance Jio is expected to roll out its 4G services across all 22 circles in a phased manner, starting December, and is expected to start beta launches this month.
Vodafone has 4G services in 18 countries with over 20 million customers.
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