Bharti Airtel plans to deploy 7,000 new mobile sites including large scale deployment of pre-5G Massive MIMO technology across Mumbai to significantly boost network capacity for high speed data and voice services in FY2018-19.
The roll-out would translate to the addition of one new mobile site to Airtel’s future-ready network in Mumbai every hour throughout the year. In addition, Airtel also plans to integrate an additional spectrum carrier of 10 MHz in the 2300 MHz band to further strengthen its 4G footprint.
The pre-5G Massive MIMO technology will be deployed across all major business hubs and residential locations in the city. Massive MIMO, which expands network capacities by 5-7 times on the same spectrum, and delivers superfast data speeds despite large number of concurrent users at the same location. Airtel had recently deployed the solution at Wankhede Stadium throughout the IPL.
Amit Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer – Mumbai, Bharti Airtel said, “As part of our endeavour to build a future ready network to deliver best-in-class experience to our customers, we are stepping up investments considerably by adding 7,000 new sites and 10 MHz of TDD LTE spectrum. Airtel has pioneered the rollout of Massive MIMO in India and we are now undertaking large scale deployments of the cutting-edge technology in key business and residential hubs across Mumbai. This will truly add to the smartphone experience for Airtel customers in the city.”
The planned roll-out will augment the current network in Mumbai by 30%, taking the total number of sites in the city to 27,000. The optic fiber footprint in the city is also set to get a boost with the addition of 400 Kms of fresh fiber, taking the total footprint to 2,700 Kms and enabling superior high speed data transmission.
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