Airtel Lanka achieves 1 mn customers, services in Wanni soon

Telecom major Airtel today said it has achieved 1 million subscribers in Sri Lanka in a record 171 days of launching services, making its subsidiary Bharti Airtel Lanka the fastest growing service provider in the Island nation.

"We are pleasantly surprised that we have achieved 1 million customers in Sri Lanka in a record 171 days and would always make available the latest technology in the sector," Deputy CEO of Bharti Airtel Sanjay Kapoor said.

Addressing a press conference on the occasion, Kapoor said it is common for any existing competitor to feel wary of a new player and that Airtel has overcome the initial hiccups since it launched its services in Sri Lanka in January this year.

He said though Airtel has many products to offer, it will confine itself to expanding its mobile phone services base in the country for the present.

Speaking on the occasion, the CEO of  Bharti Airtel Lanka Amali Nanayakkara said the support from the Sri Lankan government, customers and other stakeholders has enabled the company to become the fastest growing wireless operator in Sri Lanka.

She said out of the $250 million that Airtel proposed to bring into Sri Lanka, a sum of $120 million have already been invested.

In reply to a question, Nanayakkara said Airtel Lanka proposed to start operations in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka within three months time.

She exuded confidence that since Wanni was being opened after the LTTE war, there would not be much problems due to security clearances to begin services in the war ravaged North.

According to an official, Airtel has already dispatched its communication  towers to be installed in Eastern Sri Lanka, which has been peaceful for the last two years.

Kapoor said Airtel's entry into Sri Lanka led to tariff cuts by its rivals, making customers the ultimate bneneficiary.

"The unprecedented acceptance of these services has renewed Bharti Airtel Lanka's confidence to continue with rigor its efforts towards driving efficiencies and delighting its customers," a company release said.

She said out of the $250 millions that Airtel proposed to bring into Sri Lanka, a sum of 120 million dollars have already been invested.

In reply to a question, Nanayakkara said Airtel Lanka proposed to start operations in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka within three months time.

She exuded confidence that since the Wanni was being opened after the LTTE war, there would not be much problems due to security clearances to begin services in the war ravaged North.

According to an official, Airtel has already dispatched it communication towers to be installed in Eastern Sri Lanka, which has been peaceful for the last two years.

Kapoor said customers had been the major beneficiaries due to entry of Airtel into Sri Lanka as they enjoyed the tariff rate cuts offered by rival service providers due to increased competition.

"The unprecedented acceptance of these services has renewed Bharti Airtel Lanka’s confidence to continue with rigor its efforts towards driving efficiencies and delighting its customers," the statement said.