Bharti Airtel launched 4G network in India and Kolkata has become the first city to avail this service and claimed that India has become one of the first countries who have launched this cutting edge technology. Union Telecom minister Kapil Sibal launched Airtel’s 4G (TD-LTE) network today on 10 April 2012.
Airtel had already won the BWA license spectrum for Kolkata, Punjab, Karnataka and Maharashtra after paying 3314.36 Cr. Rs. in 2010. Airtel has already given contract to Nokia Siemens Networks to work on 4G launch in Maharashtra and will start working soon for launching 4G service in left over areas also.
Talking about the comparison of 3G service and 4G service, 4G service allows users to download data at a speed of 100 MBPS which is 5 times higher than 21 MBPS in 3G service.
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Today’s launch is a major milestone for India and Airtel. Over the past 15 years Airtel has been at the forefront of India’s telecom revolution and has set the technology trends in India by aligning with the global standards. We are delighted to now provide leadership in setting the technology standard for 4G services in India by introducing the cutting edge TD-LTE,” Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal said.
We are confident that others will follow in this direction and participate in our pioneering effort of making TD-LTE the defacto 4G standard in India. I would like to thank all our stakeholders in helping us fulfill the Government’s vision of Broadband on Demand, outlined by the Hon’ble Telecom Minister. I would also like to thank the Government of West Bengal for their support and cooperation that has made this launch possible and once again reiterate our commitment to participate in the development of the state,” Mittal said.
High speed wireless broadband has the potential to transform India, provide a robust platform for building the country’s digital economy and truly empower people. With one of the largest pools of young population in the world, India will see massive growth in consumption of data and content over mobile devices and proliferation of mobile commerce. I look forward to Airtel playing a pivotal role in shaping this exciting future for India,” Mittal added.
