Airtel to launch 4G in Kochi, Operator asks people to upgrade SIM for FREE

Airtel subscribers at Kochi in Kerala have been receiving messages from the operator stating an opportunity to upgrade their mobile connections to 4G SIM for FREE. The message looks like an indication that the operator has launched 4G in the area.

To add to it, no documents are required to be submitted for this upgrading. Also, the subscribers can get the SIM card delivered to their houses, if sent a request via message. The data plans and balances will be carried forward to the new connection.

Earlier in April 2012, Airtel had launched India’s first 4G services in Kolkata. Airtel’s 4G services are now available across India including recently launched Ambala (City and Cantt.),Karnal, Yamunanagar, Hisar, Rohtak, Nasik, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Pune, Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, Kapurthala, Moga, Bathinda and Patiala. Further, 4G trials have been launched for existing Airtel customers in Delhi, Hyderabad, Vizag, Madhurai, Chennai, Coimbatore and Mumbai.

Tata Communications Eyes Entry into 4G Space

India’s leading telecommunication company Tata Communications is also looking to enter 4G space in coming days. Tata Communications took part in the BWA auction but left with no win.

In 2G & 3G space Tata Teleservices is not even in top 3 slots, but India’s iconic business group cannot ignore the potential of 4^th generation wireless broadband services in India and targets an entry into 4G segment.

Now some reports indicates that Tata may enter into a tie up with Reliance Infotel, country’s only pan India 4G spectrum winner as there are some talks between them.

It should be noted that Tata Communications owns prominent tower company Viom Networks (earlier known as Tata-Quippo). So Tata Communications can offer towers, optical fiber network & international gateway to Reliance Infotel. Similar prospectus also comes from Reliace Communication, owned by Anil Ambani.

It also peeps the fact Reliance Industries is in talks with several passive infrastructure providers and can enter into agreements with more than one companies.

Tata Communications is also looking to enter 4G space directly by buying Qualcomm’s asset of four circles’ BWA spectrum as hinted by NDTV. But as Qualcomm is messed up with the four companies for four circles and one ISP license the buy-out will be delayed for months.

Qualcomm entered the BWA auction to ensure LTE roll out and also announced that eventually they will leave the Indian ISP market. Industry rumor is Airtel is keen to buy Qualcomm’s wireless broadband business as Qualcomm holds lucrative circles like Delhi & Mumbai.

Mumbai and Maharastra are like den of Tata Communications, where they have great base. It is expected that Tata Comm will try their best to buy out atleast Mumbai’s 4G license from Qualcomm.