Airtel set to extend 4G footprint to 19 circles in 3-4 months

Analysts say Airtel is now in a much better position to defend market share from the imminent entry of Reliance Jio

Bharti Airtel is set to extend its 4G (fourth generation) footprint to 19 circles in next three-four months as it will be launching services in six circles.

Airtel has acquired 2x5 megahertz (MHz) of 4G spectrum in 1,800 MHz band in six circles — Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (east) and UP (west) — from Videocon Telecommunications.

Airtel currently holds 4G spectrum in 15 circles. Analysts believe Airtel is now in a much better position to defend market share from the coming entry of Reliance Jio Infocomm, which plans to launch services later this year.

The company is in a much better position against incumbents, with Vodafone having no 4G spectrum in any of the six circles and Idea Cellular has such airwaves in two circles.

This will allow Airtel to acquire high average revenue per user (Arpu) in the circles.

Airtel was the first operator to launch 4G network in Kolkata in April 2012.

In March, Airtel and Videocon Telecommunications had entered into a definitive agreement, where Airtel proposed to acquire the rights to use 2x5 MHz spectrum in the 1,800-MHz band allotted to Videocon for an aggregate consideration of Rs 4,428 crore.