Videocon to start rolling out 4G services by March 2014

Videocon Telecommunications would start rolling out fourth-generation long-term evolution services by March 2014, using the 1800-MHz band of spectrum.

The company hopes to price its products and services cheaper than market rates.

“Videocon has always been positioned as the value-for-money brand.

"Here, too, we will offer services at least 15-20 per cent cheaper compared to the market.

"We will roll out LTE services in three phases, starting from March next year,” said Arvind Bali, chief executive, Videocon Telecommunications.

The company, which won spectrum in six circles in the 1800-MHz band for Rs 2,221.44 crore (Rs 22.21 billion) in November, would initially stick to these circles -- Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (East) and Uttar Pradesh (West).

“But we have plans to become a pan-India operator,”

Bali said.

He added Videocon had the advantage of liberalised spectrum in the 1800-MHz band for 20 years, while incumbent operators had the 1800-MHz band that wasn’t liberalised.

“As the spectrum is liberalised, operators can use the airwave for any technology,” he said.

Initially, Videocon would start offering 4G services in select pockets in each circle.

“We can always buy spectrum, depending on future requirements,” Bali said.

Nokia Siemens is Videocon’s technology partner for the 4G roll-out.

Earlier, Videocon had invested about Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 100 billion) in developing the infrastructure to offer 2G services.

However, its pan-India operating permit was quashed because of a Supreme Court order that cancelled 122 telecom licences.

That equipment would be redeployed, Bali said, adding the company was yet to finalise future investments.