Airtel 4G to get stronger in these cities, improved VoLTE services expected

[Thirudan]

HIGHLIGHTS

• The 900MHz spectrum will bring stronger Internet connectivity indoors.
• The 900MHz spectrum will add to the existing spectrum of 2300MHz (TD LTE) and 1800MHz (FD LTE) in the country.
• The 900MHz band will be rolled out initially to 10 major telecom circles.

t's been quite a few years now since 4G services were introduced in the country. Airtel was one of the first ones to jump on the bandwagon with the 4G services rolled for select circles in the country before a wider rollout later. However, the 4G network wasn't found to be as fast as promised. And after Reliance Jio fired its salvo with a faster and more reliable 4G LTE network, Airtel has since been struggling to expand its 4G network and ensure quality services. Now though, it seems that Airtel has an ace up its sleeve that could help it gain the desired momentum in the 4G spectrum.
Airtel has begun the rollout of the 900MHz spectrum to 10 circles of the country. The 900MHz spectrum will add to the existing spectrum of 2300MHz (TD LTE) and 1800MHz (FD LTE) in the country. The band will be rolled out initially to 10 major telecom circles in the country - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, North East and Assam.

The rollout of the new spectrum is gradual and therefore, will take some time to be implemented across all the circles. The metro cities are expected to enjoy the new network before the other circles. While Airtel hasn't commented on the rollout of the spectrum for the remaining circles, it is expected that the 900MHz band will be active in those sometime later in the year.


The major benefit that the 900MHz spectrum will bring to Airtel 4G subscribers is stronger Internet connectivity indoors. The 900MHz band will help subscribers have access to fast 4G Internet speeds even when they are in places such as homes, shopping malls, offices and other indoor areas. The enhanced signal strength indoors, as Airtel says, will help them gain more users rely on their VoLTE services.
The adoption of the 900MHz will help Airtel reel in more subscribers to its 4G LTE services. This comes as a major beneficial move against Reliance Jio, which is presently known for offering a robust 4G LTE network across the country. Jio has been aggressively pushing its 4G services to more consumers with the help of aggressive pricing for its data packs and other Jio services.
Airtel has been aggressively pushing its network lately. The carrier had recently announced its 4G services for the Andaman and Nicobar islands a few days ago. Airtel became the first operator on the islands to offer 4G services, with rivals such as BSNL and Vodafone still offering 3G as their fastest service.