Bharti Airtel said over 2 million Aircel customers, representing nearly 50 percent across India, and 60 percent of Aircel customers in Assam and North East have ported to Airtel network.
Last week, Goldman Sachs India, an investment firm, said Airtel has the potential to grab Aircel customers because they are 2G customers. Since Reliance Jio offers 4G network, it does not have the chance to convert majority of Aircel India’s 2G customers to a 4G network. Plus, Airtel is the market leader in most of the markets, where Aircel has the presence.
“We welcome them to India’s largest voice and data mobile network that is trusted by over 280 million customers. This also underlines the strength of our robust distribution network and digital on-boarding services,” Ajai Puri, COO – Bharti Airtel, said
Airtel plans to set up 6,000 new mobile sites across the region in FY 2018-19 to add network capacity and launch mobile data services in rural areas. This effectively translates to 16 new Airtel mobile sites going LIVE every day across the region.
The number of Airtel’s mobile sites across Assam and North East will go up by 31 percent to 25,000 and enhance the network experience for customers. Airtel also plans to add 3000 km of fresh optic fiber in the region to take its fiber footprint to 16000 km. This addition of fiber capacity will support the growth of high speed data services in the region.
Airtel has 12.4 million customers across Assam and North East.
Bharti Airtel will also set up over 2,000 mobile towers/sites in unconnected pockets of the region and deliver telecom connectivity to citizens in over 2100 villages over 18 months as per an agreement with the Department of Telecom (Govt. of India) and Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
