Date:17/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051750970300.htm

New Delhi

Airtel now has 40-lakh subscribers in Delhi

Special Correspondent

‘Expecting to cross 50-lakh mark within one year’
Plans to add more cell sites to strengthen network

NEW DELHI: The country’s largest mobile phone operator, Bharti Airtel, on Thursday said it has crossed the 40-lakh subscribers-mark in the Delhi and National Capital Region telecom circle, a first for any mobile company in the Capital.

Airtel now plans to upgrade and strengthen its network during the current financial year by adding more cell sites and installing antennae, besides offering attractive new services and schemes for its users.

“We are adding over 1-lakh subscribers every month in the Delhi circle, and within one year we will cross the 50-lakh mark. Crossing this landmark within 10 years of our operations will be a big achievement for us. In the Delhi circle, we have over 25 per cent market share in terms of subscriber base and 33 per cent in terms of revenues,” Airtel Delhi CEO (Mobile Services) Shashi Arora told The Hindu.

Giving details of the company’s expansion plans, Mr. Arora said they have over 3,200 cell sites in the circle that would be increased by another 1,000-1,200 this year. “We will also be doubling the number of in-building solution systems (antennae) from 700 installed this year. These systems are being installed at crowded places including shopping malls and plazas, multi-storey buildings to provide better connectivity,” he informed.