Telecom operator Videcon Mobile Services today said it has inked an in-principle agreement with Nokia Siemens Network for 4G services roll out across six telecom circles by end of this year.
"We will be using FDD-LTE technology which will be deployed by Nokia Siemens Network across six circles where we have liberalised spectrum. Our plan is to start services by end of this year," Videocon Mobile Services Director and CEO Arvind Bali told PTI.
Videocon in November 2012 won spectrum in six telecom circles -- Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh East and West -- for Rs 2,221.44 crore.
As per rules, the company can use the 5 megahertz of spectrum allocated to it through auction in each circle for deployment of any technology.
Videocon has operations in Punjab but it can provide only 2G services using the airwaves allocated to it in the state.
Mr. Bali said the company will use part of spectrum for mobile call service using 2G technologies and rest for high speed mobile broadband services using 4G technology.
The company will look for buying extra spectrum based on acceptance of the service and market demand.
"Getting more spectrum is not going to be any problem. It can be bought now. We will buy more spectrum when need arises," Mr. Bali said.
Videocon will provide 4G service using dongles and the company expects 4G mobile devices will also be in place.
Nokia Siemens Network in a statement said 45 per cent of all LTE subscribers across the world use a network where it is one of the suppliers.
"We will be happy to bring some of these cutting edge technologies to the country through Videocon Mobile Services", Nokia Siemens Networks' Head of India Region Sandeep Girotra said.
The financial details of the deal are yet to be worked out, Mr. Bali said.
