Vodafone India aims to launch 3G mobile services
Jul 28, 2010 at 11:57 am in News by LT Writer
Vodafone Essar Limited, the Indian subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc, aims to launch 3G mobile services by end-2010. And broader services of 3G will be available by the first quarter of next year, a top official said.
“We are ready to launch 3G services in nine circles by this year-end. We are waiting for spectrum allocation. As soon as we get the spectrum, we will be able to launch our services,” Vodafone Essar Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Marten Pieters told reporters here today.
Vodafone had secured 3G spectrum in nine circles in the recent 3G auctions for Rs 11,617 crore. The circles included Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal, covering over 60 per cent of the company’s current customer base.
“Vodafone Essar has secured a critical strategic footprint across the country, particularly in the markets where we expect the main demand for 3G services to be in the next few years. We expect a strong uptake for 3G in these markets, particularly among the higher value customers, which is a growing segment owing to rising affluence and increasing urban population,” Pieters said, adding that the customer would have to pay more to get better 3G services.
Source: ET
