To expand and strengthen 4G footprint across the country, Bharti Airtel has announced the acquisition of 4G business including BWA spectrum from Tikona Digital Networks Pvt. Ltd. With this acquisition, the telecom operator will have 2300 MHz spectrum in all 22 circles.
Airtel’s continued focus on strengthening its 4G capabilities across multiple spectrum bands will be complemented with the BWA spectrum acquisition from Tikona,” said Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO, Bharti Airtel. “We believe that combining our capacities in TD-LTE and FD-LTE will further bolster our network, and help us provide unmatched high-speed wireless broadband experience to our customers” he added.
Tikona has 20 megahertz (MHz) of 4G airwaves in the 2,300 MHz band won during the 2010 spectrum auction. The company currently offers its broadband service in five telecom circles – Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West) and Rajasthan.
In this telecom circles, Airtel has limited 4G airwaves. For example in Rajasthan, UP (East) and UP (West) Airtel has no spectrum in the 2,300 MHz band. Whereas in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, it has only 10 MHz each. By this acquisition, the telecom operator can further strengthen its 4G services in this five telecom circles. Adding to that Airtel will now have 2300 MHz spectrum in all 22 telecom circles. Out of these in 13 telecom circles, the operator will have 30 MHz in the 2300 MHz band.
As per the agreement, Airtel will take over the 4G business of Tikona in Gujarat, UP (East), UP (West) and Himachal Pradesh. While in Rajasthan telecom circle, Airtel’s subsidiary Bharti Hexacom Limited will acquire the 4G business from Tikona. The acquisition is subject to requisite regulatory approvals.
Airtel acquiring Tikona’s 4G spectrum
- Airtel will acquire 4G business including BWA spectrum from Tikona.
- Tikona has 4G spectrum in five telecom circles. This includes Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West) and Rajasthan.
- Airtel will now have 2300 MHz spectrum in all 22 telecom circles.
Weeks before, Airtel has announced the buying of Norwegian Telenor’s India telecom unit – Telenor India. As part of the acquisition, Airtel will completely take over Telenor assets and operation in six telecom circles of India. With the acquisition, Airtel will own Telenor’s spectrum, licenses and operations, including its employees and around 44 million of the subscriber base.