Vodafone Essar eyes 3G launch by end-2010

Indian mobile network operator Vodafone Essar has said that it aims to introduce its first 3G services by the end of 2010, according to the Economic Times. ‘We are ready to launch 3G services in nine circles by this year-end. We are waiting for spectrum allocation. As soon as we get the spectrum, we will be able to launch our services,’ said Vodafone Essar CEO and managing director Marten Pieters. The operator subsequently expects to launch broader 3G services during the first quarter of 2011.

Following the completion of India’s much-delayed 3G auction in May 2010 it was confirmed that Vodafone had successfully acquired 3G spectrum in a total of nine circles – Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (E) and West Bengal – for a total of INR116.18 billion (USD2.48 billion). Those circles where it has gained concessions to offer third-generation services cover around 60% of the cellco’s existing customer base, Vodafone has said, with Mr Pieters noting: ‘Vodafone Essar has secured a critical strategic footprint across the country, particularly in the markets where we expect the main demand for 3G services to be in the next few years. We expect a strong uptake for 3G in these markets, particularly among the higher value customers, which is a growing segment owing to rising affluence and increasing urban population.’