Airtel deploys additional 21.6 Mhz spectrum to deliver the
best network experience for customers in Bengal

The deployment will boost network capacity and enhance indoor coverage of high speed data services

At 65 Mhz, Airtel has the largest spectrum bank in Bengal and is well positioned to serve the booming demand for data services

Kolkata, June 21, 2021: Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s premier communications solutions provider, today said that it has upgraded its mobile network in Bengal to deliver the best network experience for its customers.

Airtel has deployed an additional 21.6 Mhz spectrum along with advance network software tools across its network in the state to significantly bolster network coverage and ensure seamless high speed data experience. 10 MHz spectrum has been added in the 2300 band, 5 Mhz in the 2100 band, 3.8 MHz in the 1800 band while 2.8 MHz has been added in the 900 band.

The deployment will strengthen an already superior network for Airtel customers across Bengal. It will enable improved network availability and data speeds along with better coverage inside homes and buildings in cities and urban areas. The deployment also allows Airtel to offer wider coverage along highways and rail routes as well as increase footprint in villages as more people access high speed data services.

With this fresh spectrum, Airtel has the largest spectrum bank of 65 MHz in Bengal. With its diverse spectrum holdings across 2300/2100/1800/900 bands, the company is well positioned to serve the growing demand for high speed data services and its network is fully ready for 5G.

Siddharth Sharma, CEO – West Bengal & Odisha, Bharti Airtel said, “With the acquisition of 21.6 Mhz spectrum for Bengal in the recently concluded auctions and deployment of 4G using spectrum in the superior 900 Mhz band, Airtel customers in Bengal will now be able to experience improved 4G data speeds and HD quality calling even indoors. With the largest spectrum bank of 65 Mhz in Bengal, Airtel is well positioned to meet the surging demand for high speed data. We remain obsessed with delivering a world-class service experience to our customers and continue to invest aggressively in new spectrum and network upgrades at a time when our customers need it the most.”

Following the pandemic, the adoption of the work from home, online classes, video streaming has witnessed a massive surge. Airtel’s intervention to build additional capacities will go a long way in helping customers stay connected.

Airtel has also deployed advanced network technologies and tools such as pre-5G Massive MIMO, 4G Advanced and Carrier Aggregation to step up high speed network capacity and coverage.

Airtel has over 20 million customers in Bengal and its network covers more than 98 % per cent population of the state.

About Bharti Airtel

Headquartered in India, Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 471 mn customers in 18 countries across South Asia and Africa. The company ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally and its networks cover over two billion people. Airtel is India’s largest integrated communications solutions provider and the second largest mobile operator in Africa. Airtel’s retail portfolio includes high speed 4G/4.5G mobile broadband, Airtel Xstream Fiber that promises speeds up to 1 Gbps with convergence across linear and on-demand entertainment, streaming services spanning music and video, digital payments and financial services. For enterprise customers, Airtel offers a gamut of solutions that includes secure connectivity, cloud and data centre services, cyber security, IoT, Ad Tech and cloud based communication. For more details visit www.airtel.com