Tower firms' top line woes to continue despite 4G switch: CRISIL report

Telecom operators are pushing consumers to shift to 4G network as it allows them to offer more data services which convert to higher revenue

Telcos’ focus on densification of 4G network is unlikely to result in better top line for tower companies, a recent CRISIL report has suggested. 

As telcos stress on densification of 4G, the replacement of 2G and 3G base transceiver station (BTS) or signal transmitters with 4G will slow down the net BTS additions to about 155,000 in fiscal 2020 from 275,000 in fiscal 2019. 

The number of BTSs per tower is, however, expected to increase marginally to 3.85 this fiscal compared with 3.67 in fiscal 2019 on increased loading by telcos to increase their capacity per site. This will support