Airtel's Sri Lankan arm gets nod to switch off 3G network: Report
The State telecom regulator, as per the report, has granted the telco 15 months to complete the process, cautioning that it must "absorb at least 90% of its 3G susbcriber base into their 4G network during the transition phase".
NEW DELHI: Airtel Lanka, the Sri Lankan arm of India's Bharti Airtel, has received clearance from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to shut down its 3G mobile network by June 24, according to a report by Developing Telecoms.
Following this, Airtel Lanka will utilize the freed-up spectrum for its 4G operations.
The State telecom regulator, as per the report, has granted the telco 15 months to complete the process, cautioning that it must "absorb at least 90% of its 3G subscriber base into their 4G network during the transition phase".
The shutting down of legacy 3G network means that any Airtel subscriber using 3G-enabled devices will be automatically disconnected from the telco's network.
Airtel has also been obliged to raise awareness prior to shutting down network through public campaigns encouraging subscribers to migrate to the Airtel 4G network.
The report added that Airtel must also take steps to make 4G handsets available to its current 3G subscribers, including through promotions and subsidized devices that can be paid for in installments.
The telecom regulator has also ordered Airtel to notify its subscribers via SMS to switch to a 4G handset ahead of the deadline.
BofA Securities downgrades Airtel to `neutral' on near-term headwinds
"In a rising interest rate environment, we see downside risks to EPS/fair value on the back of increased gearing; and expect the increase in retail diesel price to have an impact on Bharti's EBITDA margin as most towers run on diesel generators," BofA Securities said in a note.
In India, Bharti Airtel has switched off its 3G services in states like Kolkata, Haryana, Punjab and Kerala. However, the telco continues to offer 2G services to cater to the needs of feature phone users.
Meanwhile, India's Vodafone Idea had also said it plans to shut down its 3G network in the country by late-2021 while providing 2G services, a strategy in sync with the Sunil Mittal-driven Airtel.
Telecom market leader Reliance Jio has been campaigning for a "2G-mukt Bharat" (2G-free India). It now says to have developed its own 5G stack which will be used for fifth-generation network rollout.
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