In a bid to enhance the data carrying capacity in key states such as such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, Bharti Airtel will acquire 4G spectrum and sites of Tikona Networks for £160 million. Tikona has 20 MHz spectrum in the 2,300 MHz band in Gujarat, UP (East), UP (West), Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh circles. With this acquisition, Airtel will be the second company, after Reliance Jio, to have pan-India presence in the 2,300 Mhz band - which has the second-largest ecosystem of 4G devices.
“We believe that combining our capacities in TD-LTE (4G technology for 2300 Mhz band) and FD-LTE (technology for 1800 Mhz and other spectrum bands) will further bolster our network, and help us provide unmatched high-speed wireless broadband experience to customers,” Bharti Airtel MD & CEO (India & South Asia) Gopal Vittal said.
Airtel plans to roll out 4G services on the newly-acquired spectrum in the five circles immediately after the closure of the deal. Post-acquisition, spectrum holding of Airtel in these five circles will be within the spectrum caps prescribed by the government. “Post completion of the deal, Airtel will have 30 MHz in the 2,300 MHz band in 13 circles, giving it an advantage to handle the surging data demand,” the company said.
