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Hutchison targets 4 m base by 2003
By siliconindia staff writer
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Thursday, 28 August 2003, 19:30 IST
BANGALORE: Cellular service provider Hutchison expects its subscriber base to cross 4 million by this year-end. It claims to have a 18 per cent share of the 16 million GSM (global system for mobile communication) subscribers that Cellular Operators Association of India reports.
Asim Ghosh, managing director, Hutchison Essar said at a press meet here on Tuesday that Hutch was increasing its share in cellular market which is adding around 1.5 to 2 million subscribers monthly.
Hutchs total investment this year is expected to be Rs 1,600 crore, most of which will be spent on network and technology. The number of circles will also grow from present 7 to 11. In Karnataka, Hutch will be present in 70 towns and increase its cell site from 214 to 450 before year end. He said that Rs 500 crore has been invested in Karnataka.
Hutch has crossed one lakh subscribers despite being a late entrant and fourth operator in Karnataka, he added. Ghosh declined to elaborate Hutchs plans for an initial public offereing (IPO). Unified messaging service, HutchAlive, group messaging and general packet radio service are some of the value-added services that Hutch provides.Hutchison and its affiliated companies operate cellular services in the metros and three state circles Orange in Mumbai, Hutch in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.