Airtel is deploying the next gen Massive MIMO technology in Bengaluru and Kolkata.
In a statement, Airtel said that the deployement of Massive MIMO (Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) was India’s first 5G capable technology. Airtel was starting with the first round of deployment in Bangalore and Kolkata; and would expand to other parts of the country soon.
“Deployed as part of Airtel’s ongoing network transformation program, Project Leap, the Massive MIMO technology will expand existing network capacity by five to seven times using the existing spectrum, thereby improving spectral efficiency. Customers will now be able to experience two to three times superfast speeds on the existing 4G network. Data speeds will now also be seamless, offering enhanced user experience even indoors, in crowded places and high rise buildings. It would enable multiple users and multiple devices to work simultaneously without facing any congestion or experience issues especially at hotspot locations,” the statement said.
According to Airtel, Massive MIMO “is a pre-5G technology that will make the network future ready for meeting the data demand coming from digital revolution and data explosion in India. Customers can enjoy these faster data speeds on their existing 4G mobile devices without any upgrades or plan change. Massive MIMO deployment uses green technology and thus helps reduce carbon footprint.”
“Massive MIMO is expected to expand existing network capacity by 5-7 times, leading to much faster data speeds and better customer experience,” Airtel said and added that customers would enjoy faster data speeds on their existing 4G mobile devices without any upgrades or plan change.
According to Abhay Savargaonkar, Director–Networks, “India is fast striding towards exponential and unprecedented data growth. Our latest deployment of Massive MIMO, will help us serve this demand and would also give an impetus to build a future ready network. The deployment gives us a strategic advantage to provide faster speeds and enhanced user experience for our customers, thereby translating into improved spectrum efficiency,” said Abhay Savargaonkar, Director – Networks, Airtel.