Airtel to use 3G network to strengthen 4G services, shutting down all 3G network services in Kolkata

Airtel today announced its 3G network in Kolkata. Airtel mobile broadband services in Kolkata will now be available on 4G. Airtel plans to replace the third generation mobile technology with 4G in the country. Airtel will use 900 Mhz frequency band which was earlier being used for 3G to further strengthen its 4G network.

"Airtel has refarmed the 900 Mhz band spectrum being used for 3G to further strengthen its 4G network. The company is deploying state-of-the-art L900 technology in the 900 MHz band to complement its 4G service in the 2300 Mhz and 1800 Mhz bands," Airtel said in its statement.

Airtel claimed that with L900 technology, its smartphone customers will enjoy improved 4G service inside buildings - homes, offices and malls. It will is also expected to result in wider availability of Airtel 4G across the city.

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“This is in line with our stated strategy of focusing on serving quality customers with best-in-class service experience. Going forward, we plan to re-farm all of our 3G spectrum across India and deploy it for 4G in a phased manner," said Randeep Sekhon, CTO - Bharti Airtel. "Also, it complements the smartphone ecosystem, which has now gravitated overwhelmingly towards 4G only devices.”  

However, this won't affect Artel 2G customers in India as Airtel said it will continue to provide 2G services in Kolkata for customers using feature phones.

Airtel requested 3G users to upgrade their handsets and SIMs to latch onto Airtel's 4G network. However, 3G customers who are yet to upgrade their handsets or SIMs will continue to get access to Airtel's voice services.