GSM service provider Aircel, in which Malaysia’s Maxis Communications holds a majority stake, has entered into a passive infrastructure sharing agreement with state-owned telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).
Under the agreement, Aircel will get access to around 45,000 towers of BSNL spread across 21 circles in the country. Aircel has around 32,000 towers, or base stations, in the country. A significant portion of BSNL’s sites are electrified. Sharing these towers, that cover 96 per cent of all districts across the country, will help Aircel expand its footprint.
“This is a historic moment for the company. Aircel will now have access to strategically located sites across BSNL’s 21 circles (excluding Mumbai and Delhi). Leveraging BSNL’s passive infrastructure will help Aircel meet its aggressive network roll-out plans in addition to reducing operational cost,” Aircel COO Gurdeep Singh said.
BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goyal said: “We are happy to partner with Aircel. BSNL has a strong nationwide coverage and offers the best value proposition in the Indian telecom market. Our objective is to provide quality and reliable service and thereby increase our partner’s confidence.” Aircel is India’s fifth-largest GSM mobile service provider with a subscriber base of over 24 million. Aircel is present in 18 telecom circles, with secured spectrum for the remaining five circles.
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First BSNL announces a deal with tata teleservices to share infrastructure for 15 years and before the ink could dry on the agreement again announces the deal with aircel. Logically BSNL has the best telecom infrastructure in the country and they were only let down by repeated political interference and perhaps a slow decision making in procuring the equipment thereby decreasing their marketshare. With these announcements perhaps they are exhibiting their resolve to make up for the last time. Such deals would also help the new players like aircel to quickly compete with the likes of Airtel and Reliance.
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Under the agreement, Aircel will get access to around 45,000 towers of BSNL spread across 21 circles in the country. Aircel has around 32,000 towers, or base stations, in the country. A significant portion of BSNL’s sites are electrified. Sharing these towers, that cover 96 per cent of all districts across the country, will help Aircel expand its footprint.
