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Vodafone to spend $500 Milion to launch 3G services by early 2011
By siliconindia
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Friday, 22 October 2010, 19:38 IST
New Delhi: In a bid to launch the much anticipated 3G services in the country by early 2011, Vodafone Essar will spend $400 to $500 million on 3G services electronic equipment. The company will fund it through bank loans and by issuing some new shares to its existing shareholders, Vodafone Group and Essar Group, said Marten Pieters, CEO, Vodafone Essar, said.
Last week, Vodafone Essar gave a three-year contract, estimated to be $500 million, to Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks to roll out 3G network.
The Mumbai based telecom operator had bought 3G spectrum rights in nine circles for 
11,600 crore. Vodafone's services will be launched in a phased manner. Beginning from metro areas Delhi and Mumbai, 3G services will be rolled out in all circles including Chennai, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal, Sanjoy Mukerji, Director (business operations) of Vodafone Essar said.
The company is also in talks with other operators like Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular to offer 3G services in areas where it does not have 3G airwaves. The end objective of these tie-ups will be to allow customers to experience 3G across the country.
Vodafone is likely to be one of the later private players to launch these services. Tata DoCoMo is expected to announce that it will begin offering its high-speed services from the first week of November. State-run telecoms are already providing 3G services in select circles.
In a highly-competitive Indian telecom market, 3G services are being considered the next revenue generator after regular value added services.
11,600 crore. Vodafone's services will be launched in a phased manner. Beginning from metro areas Delhi and Mumbai, 3G services will be rolled out in all circles including Chennai, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal, Sanjoy Mukerji, Director (business operations) of Vodafone Essar said.
The company is also in talks with other operators like Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular to offer 3G services in areas where it does not have 3G airwaves. The end objective of these tie-ups will be to allow customers to experience 3G across the country.
Vodafone is likely to be one of the later private players to launch these services. Tata DoCoMo is expected to announce that it will begin offering its high-speed services from the first week of November. State-run telecoms are already providing 3G services in select circles.
In a highly-competitive Indian telecom market, 3G services are being considered the next revenue generator after regular value added services.
