The competition in the Indian telecom market is set to heat up further by the end of this year with Vodafone India on Friday announcing roll-out of fourth generation (4G) communications service — that will make surfing the web on mobile phones and tablets much faster that 3G — by December.
This comes close on the heels of country’s largest telecom operator Airtel announcing pan-India launch of its 4G services earlier this month. Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries, will also be launching 4G services towards the end of the year.
Vodafone said the testing of 4G services had commenced successfully and the firm had partnered with leading global technology infrastructure service providers for the network roll-out.
“Vodafone India confirms that it will launch its 4G services by the end of the calendar year 2015. Important data markets, including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Kochi, will be part of the first wave of the rollout,” the company added.
The company also said its pan-India 4G services would also be launched at an appropriate time though it did specify further.
Vodafone India had successfully acquired additional 4G (LTE) spectrum in 5 circles — Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Kerala and Karnataka in February 2014 auctions. These circles together contribute close to 50 per cent of total data revenues for Vodafone India.
On the other hand, Airtel and Reliance Jio have 4G spectrum in 14 circles and 22 circles, respectively.
Globally, Vodafone has launched 4G in 18 countries and has over 20 million 4G customers.
Vodafone said it would also roll-out 3G network in seven circles — Assam, the North-East, U.P. West, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala and Odisha. The company has 3G intra-circle roaming arrangements with other operators to offer services in these circles.
