Bharti Airtel doesn’t see 3G delay despite security issues

Even as national security is a reality that telecom service providers are dealing with on a daily basis, Bharti Airtel CEO Sanjay Kapoor on Wednesday indicated that 3G telecom services would not be delayed by the current regulatory environment.

Replying to a DNA query at the first quarter results conference of Bharti, Kapoor said the industry had paid serious money for 3G spectrum, and that the rollout was not likely to be delayed over security concerns of the government. Recent 3G auction had fetched the Exchequer around Rs 70,000 crore worth of revenue.

Dismissing the buzz that 3G services may be banned if certain security conditions are not complied with, Kapoor said, “We have paid so much, the government will hopefully ensure that 3G service is rolled out on time.”

Buys Telecom Seychelles
Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel said it will acquire 100% stake in Telecom Seychelles for $62 million to expand its business in Africa. 

“Telecom Seychelles has world-class operations. These will benefit further by leveraging the efficiencies of scale of our African operations,” said Bharti Airtel CEO (international) Manoj Kohli.