Bharti Airtel has shut down its 3G networks across 11 circles and is planning to rework the present 2100 MHz spectrum to boost its 4G networks by March 2020.
The move comes as Airtel aims to create more high-speed internet subscribers.
Earlier, in August 2019, the company had announced plans to shut down its 3G network across 22 telecom circles by March 2020.
Further, Airtel also plans to expand its tower footprint to increase coverage of 4G services. The push will primarily be in rural areas where there is a need to drive 4G.
Meanwhile, the telco has stated that it will not buy 5G spectrum in the upcoming auction at Rs 4,920 million per MHz base price as recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
In its earnings call, the company’s managing director and chief executive officer, India and South Asia, Gopal Vittal, stated that the TRAI recommended price of Rs 500 billion for 100 MHz spectrum for 3.5 GHz band, is very high and unaffordable for them. Therefore, the telco would not bid for the spectrum at those prices.
