Vodafone launches 3G in Guwahati, invests Rs 500 crore in ANE circle

NEW DELHI: India’s second largest wireless operator by subscribers, Vodafone India has launched its 3G services on its own network in Guwahati, is the largest city of Assam.

With this move, around 1 million citizens of the city will be able to experience Vodafone 3G services, now even faster, smarter and better than the existing 3G experience.

Going ahead, the company had invested more than Rs 500 crores to modernize and upgrade existing voice and data network in Assam & North East (ANE) circle. During the period of April-October 2015, Vodafone has put up over 115 numbers of 2G sites and 248 numbers of 3G sites in Assam & North East, while the capacity of more than 150 existing sites has been augmented.

“The new Vodafone 3G will enhance the service experience such as multimedia, high speed mobile broadband, internet access with the ability to view video footage on one’s mobile handset. Also, with a 3G phone and access to  Vodafone 3G network, one can make video calls, watch live TV, access the high speed internet, download large email attachments faster and download music tracks, as well as the usual voice call and messaging services found in a mobile phone,” the company said.

“Our aim is to accelerate mobile internet adoption through penetration, consumption and value addition, and we are confident that this move will facilitate in quicker adoption, better usage and a superfast internet experience on the go,” said Alok Verma, business head – Assam & North East, Vodafone India .

Vodafone, so far, has been offering 3G services in Assam & North East circle via bilateral roaming agreements (ICR) with other operators. In March 2015 auctions, Vodafone India acquired 2100 Mhz (3G) spectrum for Assam & North East circle and has made significant investments to modernise its network to offer faster, smarter and better 3G services to its customers on its own network. Vodafone India has more than 4.7 million customers in Assam & North East Circle with 40 percent being data users.

The operator has been rolling out its own 3G network in a phased manner across Assam & North East Circle. Recently, it has announced the launch of its own 3G services in Jorhat in Assam, Itanagar, Bomdila, Tawang, Along, Basar, Bhalukpong, Dirang, Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh and Kohima and Dimapur in Nagaland.

It has also launched ‘3G experience card’ free of cost for customers to experience faster, smarter and better speeds and superior connectivity of Vodafone 3G services. This is a onetime experience card which offers free 30 MB 3G data. 3G experience card comes with validity of one day, and is available at all leading Vodafone stores, mini stores and multi-brand retail outlets across Guwahati.