Airtel leads in Himachal with 4 lakh users

Bharti Tele Ventures, Himachal Pradesh's largest mobile service provider, now has 400,000 mobile subscribers in the hill state, claim company officials.

"We have jumped from 300,000 to 400,000 customers in barely eight months, a record for us so far in Himachal," said Sameer Kohli, deputy general manager (marketing) at the firm.

"With this, Airtel has become the first mobile operator to touch the 4-lakh landmark," Kohli told Business Standard. On catering to the needs of growing customers, Kohli said the company planned to have 500 towers in the state soon.

"We also plan to start fixed wireless phones with WLL technology in Himachal Pradesh. Unlike what other WLL providers in the state offer, our customers will be able to carry these phones throughout the state without paying any roaming charges," he said.

But the company has no immediate plans to start broadband services in the state. Bharti began services in the state almost ten years ago. This makes it the oldest mobile operator here.

According to independent sources, Bharti has the largest number of mobile customers in the state followed by BSNL, Reliance and Tata.