The Hindu Business Line : Bharti Airtel chalks out $3.5-b investment plan

New Delhi April 27 Bharti Airtel Ltd has chalked out an investment plan of up to $3.5 billion (Rs 14,000-15,000 crore) to expand its network across India and Sri Lanka.

The company generally has investment plans of around $1.5 annually and has so far invested Rs 31,950 crore on expansion of its networks.

Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Airtel Ltd, speaking to media persons on Friday, said, "The company plans to add around 30,000 base-stations to its existing 40,000 base-stations during the current fiscal. Around 55 per cent to 60 per cent of these base stations would be set up in the rural areas to enhance our coverage. Once this is completed the reach would be approximately cover around 70 per cent of the country and we expect in the next two-three years we would be able to cover almost 97 per cent."

Mr Mittal added that a significant investment (approximately 30 per cent) would go into the expansion of the broadband and enterprise services.

The company is also gearing up for the 3G or advanced mobile data and voice service launch policy.

"Bharti wants to be an early player in 3G and as and when the auction for spectrum is announced, Bharti will participate in the process. But one thing that the Government must keep in mind is the affordability while deciding on prices of 3G spectrum," he said

The company's plans of rolling out their direct-to-home (DTH) platform and IPTV (internet protocol television) are going according to plan.

"We are waiting for the licence to launch the DTH services. But we expect to launch it during the current financial year," Mr Mittal said.

Speaking on the IPTV, he said that the service has been offered to around a couple of people on a trail basis but we are close to a commercial launch of this service.

More Stories on : Telecommunications | Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page