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Airtel would also be focusing on north Karnataka — the backward region with rich growth potential for trade and industry — for doubling the network. The investment on Karnataka would account for more than 25 per cent of the Rs 1,500 crore planned by Bharti during the current fiscal for its 23 circles. By end of the current fiscal, Airtel plans to reach out to 45 per cent of the population in the State with robust network that would span close to 730 towns.

Bangalore , Oct. 4

AIRTEL is planning to launch a test pilot for e-commerce platform in its mobile in Bangalore soon.

The city will become the second one after New Delhi to get the distinction in Bharti Televenture's efforts to roll out new services.

Airtel had earmarked Rs 380 crore for the fiscal 2005-06 for network expansion and upgradation of existing facilities in the State. About 30 per cent of the amount would be invested in Bangalore during the period, said Mr Atul Bindal, Executive Director (South), Bharti Televentures Ltd.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Bindal said Airtel would also be focusing on north Karnataka regions — the backward region with rich growth potential for trade and industry — for doubling the network. Prominent towns like Gulbarga and Hubli, Maski, Ghataprabha, Kudalasangama, Kudchi, Dulakhed, Gurmitkal, Kiravatti, Lokapur in north Karnataka and Ripponpet, Anandapuram, Nagarhole, Sathnur and Gandasi in South Karnataka would see better coverage by March, said Mr Bindal.

The investment on Karnataka would account for more than 25 per cent of the Rs 1,500 crore planned by Bharti during the current fiscal for its 23 circles.

Airtel would set up 600 additional cell sites across Karnataka taking its overall tally to 1,800 by March 2006, said Mr Deepak Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer, Bharti Televentures Ltd, Karnataka.

He said by end of the current fiscal, Airtel plans to reach out to 45 per cent of the population in the State with robust network that would span close to 730 towns.

Airtel currently has a subscriber base of 1.5 million in the State.

He said Airtel would not only be creating new cell sites, but would optimise the existing facilities by upgradation to meet the increasing needs of a variety of services demanded by customers. Airtel is gearing up to strengthen its networks to meet the increasing demand for data transfer, e-commerce, gaming, besides voice and simple short messaging service.

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Karnataka: Airtel to invest Rs 380 cr in expansion, upgradation

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