Indian telecom operator Bharti Airtel has made investment in 4G network to launch 4G services in 130 towns and villages of the Ladakh region.
With the latest investment, Airtel has become the first Indian telecom operator to launch 4G in places such as Kargil, Leh and Dras.
The development indicates that leading telecom operators such as BSNL, Idea Cellular, Vodafone and Reliance Jio Infocomm are likely to take more time to launch their 4G offerings in such remote places.
Airtel’s network teams and technology partners have overcome the challenge of extremely difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, to deploy 4G network in the region. Dras, located in Kargil District, is the coldest inhabited place in India and the second coldest in the world.
“As part of Project Leap investment program, we will channel investments towards building a world class future ready network that touches every Indian,” said Ajai Puri, chief operating officer (India & South Asia) of Bharti Airtel.
Airtel has nationwide 4G footprint covering Ladakh in the North to Kanyakumari in the South and Tawang in the East to Kutch in the West.
Airtel earlier announced that it has committed over Rs 60,000 crore of investment for the initiative to enhance customer experience. Airtel launched India’s first 4G service in 2012 in Kolkata. Airtel is the largest telecom operator in India in terms of revenue and wireless market share.
