Aircel Bengal aims for break-even by 2014-15

The company wants to bring the majority of its subscribers into 3G, says Virad Kaul regional head Dishnet Wireless Ltd

Aircel is aiming to achieve break even for Kolkata and Bengal circles by 2014-15 fiscal with healthy growth of revenue from 3G data and voice.

"We are aiming for break even by early next year (2014-15) for Kolkata and Bengal circles," said Virad Kaul regional head (east) Dishnet Wireless Ltd, a subsidiary of Aircel, today.

To achieve it the company is targeting to increase voice rate per minute realisation by 12% over the next one year, Kaul said.

Voice accounts for 85% of the revenue and the remainder comes from data and other VAS for Aircel.

Speaking about data revenue in the state, Dishnet business head (all Bengal) Sanjeev Garg said, a growth of 35% over the current base is being looked at.

Kaul said the company wants to bring the majority of its subscribers into 3G, despite competition from broadband wireless access and 4G.

There has been constant increase in conversion from 2G, and increase of base would help the company in higher revenue from 3G, though tariff has been easing, Garg said.

Garg said Aircel has extended the 3G trial scheme 'Aircel Morning' to Kolkata and Bengal circles with unlimited access between 6:00 am and 9:00 am for 30 days.

Garg said the post trial offer by Aircel is likely to make the Aircel Morning scheme available at close to Rs 30 per month.