Airtel 3G service now shut down in Kerala, upgraded to 4G

Airtel on Friday anunced discontinuation of 3G services in sourn state of Kerala. Meaning, Airtel 3G users in Kerala will longer be able to use Airtel's 3G services in state. Airtel is upgring all its 3G users to 4G services in state. But Airtel will continue to provide 2G services across Kerala.

Airtel discontinues 3G in Kerala

Airtel's discontinuation of 3G services in Kerala is essentially a part of telco's plan to phase out 3G techlogy. Starting vember 8, Airtel mobile broband services in Kerala will be available on 4G network and Airtel 3G customers have been upgred to 4G.  Meanwhile, Airtel will continue to provide 2G services in Kerala, which is primary source of connectivity for feature phone users.

" deployment of 4G and re-farming of 3G spectrum is in line with our national strategy of providing seamless connectivity and superior data experience to our customers," said Nagananda U, COO- Kerala, Bharti Airtel. "4G LTE service provides a high speed internet access that fits needs and provides fast Internet speeds for consumers living in suburban and urban areas with more high speed broband service options, Airtel 4G LTE affords new competitive high speed broband choices."
 
Airtel says all 3G customers were tified and requested to upgre ir handsets and SIMs to 4G. 3G customers who haven't yet upgred ir handsets or SIMs will continue to receive voice services. In Kerala, Airtel says it has re-farmed 2100 Mhz band, which was being used for 3G. Airtel hopes same frequency band will furr help company strengn position into 4G network cover. 

Re-farming of 3G spectrum for 4G is expected to boost Airtel's network capacity and wider availability of Airtel 4G. In Kerala, Airtel says it uses a spectrum bank across 2300 Mhz (TD LTE), 2100 Mhz (LTE 2100), and 1800 Mhz (FD LTE) to offer 4G services to customers. In related news, Airtel recently anunced that its prepaid users purchasing Rs 599 receive Rs 4 lakh life insurance cover from Bharti AXA Life Insurance.

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