Aircel to roll out WiMax in 23 circles nationwide

The Indian telecom boom is not only about numbers. In what is the first of its kind in the domestic telecom industry, telecom operator Aircel will deploy WiMax networks in all 23 circles across the country.

"Aircel has already deployed WiMax networks in 10 cities, including the four metros, with pan or partial city coverage. We will scale it to an additional 24 cities by the next year. These 24 cities are primarily in 23 telecom circles and locations in B and C class cities across the country," said Ram Shinde, head, Aircel Business Solutions.

While various domestic mobile operators, such as Bharat Sanchar Nigam and Mahanagar Telecom Nigam, are also in the process of deploying WiMax equipment, most of them are in select cities.

WiMax is being seen as the future technology and most operators in the country are also expected to roll out services soon. The department of telecom (DoT) has already delicensed 80 mhz spectrum for outdoor WiFi and WiMax services.

DoT is also considering delicensing another 50 mhz spectrum for the commercial use of WiMax services. Many WiMax equipment manufacturers are also planning to begin their operation in the country.WiMax is an IP-based data applications and is increasingly being used for many advanced broadcast, mobile and wireless access systems.

WiMax enables fast broadband internet and triple-play facilities. Additionally, it also has a wider network coverage, which is an advantage in rural areas.

Aircel will use the equipment of Israel-based Alvarion. However, the deployment will be done through Aircel's technical team. The company will target the small, medium and large enterprises.

The head office will be in the metros (which needs 2 mbps port on WiMax), while the branch office, distributors and dealers will be based at rural areas.

"We have tested all the WiMax equipment at our WiMax research centre in Chennai based on which we have carried commercial deployment in ten cities. Aircel also has licensed and necessary spectrum, which is required for WiMax network deployment," he said. Aircel is the only operator in the country, which has commercially deployed WiMax and also among the top-five operators in the entire globe, he added.

The company believes that the initiative will increase its revenue from its customers and also check churn of existing customers owing to better quality services.