Bharti Airtel is pulling out all stops to encourage the uptake of 4G services in the country.
Early April, the company became the first telecom operator to launch 4G services in Kolkata. These services, besides offering rich content, will allow superfast access to video streaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos, etc. Further, they are also expected to facilitate services such as e-governance, e-health and e-education services.
In 2010, Airtel had successfully bid for BWA license spectrum in Kolkata, Karnataka, Punjab and Maharashtra (excluding Mumbai) circles. The company is now working towards rolling out networks in Karnataka and Maharashtra circles. It has already given the contract for a TD-LTE deployment in Maharashtra to Nokia Siemens Networks. Airtel’s 4G services are targeted for the high end data users as the launch price for the services is on the higher side.
Available for both prepaid and postpaid connections, Airtel offers three plans: Breakfree, Breakfree Max and Breakfree Ulltra. The rentals start from Rs 999 and go up to INR 1999.
As the next step, Bharti Airtel is reportedly negotiating with various Chinese original equipment manufacturers to introduce the ?mifi? device in the country. This medium is expected to provide subscribers access to 4G services while mobile.
A ?mifi? is a battery-operated, wireless device which is smaller than a mobile handset. It helps a user connect to a 4G network through their 3G device?s Wi-Fi platform.
Currently, a subscriber can access Airtel?s 4G network on their 3G handset via an indoor customer premise equipment.
