Private GSM cellular operator Vodafone Essar today launched its Third Generation (3G) service in Uttar Pradesh (East) circle, which is one of the largest telecom circles in the country with around 60 million subscribers.
In first phase, the service has been launched in Lucknow and Kanpur, while Allahabad and Varanasi would be covered next month. Later on, remaining towns and centres would be included under 3G network.
The company will also sell bundled 3G handsets of own make, besides other leading handset makers, including Nokia and Samsung. The bundled 3G handsets carry price tag upwards of Rs 3,500. Vodafone had already launched 3G service in Chennai and Delhi. Now, UP (E) has three operators offering 3G services viz. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Aircel.
Vodafone is the largest operator in UP (E) with about 13 million subscribers. The company is offering its subscribers free 3G services till April 10 and the 3G tariff and packages for it would be announced later, circle COO Ravi Santhanam told the media here.
“We have the largest EDGE enabled cell sites in the circle numbering 8,200 and we only need to put 3G antennae and some additional gadgets for 3G,” he added.
Against 2G service, which basically supports voice service, 3G is most suited for high speed data transfers in real time, including video calling, high definition gaming and faster internet providing speeds of up to 21.1 mbps.
Besides, bundled handsets, Vodafone will also vend High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) dongles for laptop/desktop internet users and Mifi device, which is a Wi-fi device providing access to 5-10 nodes for small businesses. “We are targeting first time internet users on mobile phones,” he underscored.
The mobile penetration level is much lower in UP (E) at 40 per cent compared to pan-India average of 55-60 per cent.
