Airtel is most preferred network for Aircel customers in Assam and North East

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s largest telecommunications services provider, has emerged as the network of choice for Aircel customers. Over 20 lakh Aircel customers across India and 60% of Aircel customers in Assam and North East have already ported to Airtel and are enjoying world-class services and network coverage. With this, Airtel has the highest share (approx. 50% across India and approx. 60% in Assam and North East) of all port-ins, so far, from Aircel.

Welcoming Aircel customers Ajai Puri, COO – Bharti Airtel said: “It is heartening to see Airtel being the most preferred operator for Aircel customers across India. We welcome them to India’s largest voice and data mobile network that is trusted by over 280 mn customers and look forward to serving them with best-in-class experience. This also underlines the strength of our robust distribution network and digital onboarding services.”

As part of its ongoing network transformation program – Project Leap, Airtel plans to roll out 6000 new mobile sites across the region in FY 2018-19 to add network capacity and take services deeper into rural and unconnected areas. This effectively translates to 16 new Airtel mobile sites going LIVE every day across the region.

With this planned rollout, the number of Airtel’s mobile sites across Assam and NESA will go up by 31% to 25,000 and considerably enhance the network experience for customers. Airtel also plans to add 3000 km of fresh optic fiber in the region to take its fiber footprint to 16000 km. This addition of fiber capacity will support the growth of high speed data services in the region.

Airtel continues to be the #1 operator across Assam and North East and is trusted by 12.4 million customers. It was the first operator to launch 3G and 4G services in the region. Airtel’s network umbrella in the region covers all key urban, semi urban and rural areas including highways, tourist destinations and trade centers. It has the widest network footprint with network coverage even in remote locations like Lumla (Arunachal Pradesh), Tuipang (Mizoram), Dawki (Meghalaya) and Longwa (Nagaland).

In December 2017, Airtel had signed an agreement with the Department of Telecom (Govt. of India) and Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for provision of mobile services in identified uncovered villages and national highways in the North Eastern States of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh. Under the agreement, Airtel will set up over 2000 mobile towers/sites in unconnected pockets of the region and deliver telecom connectivity to citizens in over 2100 villages over 18 months.