Telecom operator Vodafone India will launch its 4G services by the end of this year, starting with Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi and Kochi in the first part of the rollout. Other than this, the company will roll out its 3G networks in 7 circles: in the Northeast, Assam, UP West, Kerala, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Odisha. Vodafone mentions that it will use the additional spectrum acquired in the February 2014 auctions to launch its 4G (LTE) services in 5 circles including Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka and Kolkata. Interestingly, the company mentions that these circles together contribute close to 50% of the total data revenues for Vodafone India. Note that during the 2014 auction, the operator had acquired spectrum in 1800 MHz band in 11 circles including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP (East). The operator won additional 1800 MHz spectrum in this year's auctions held in March. Videocon 4G launch: Earlier this month, Videocon said it would launch its 4G services in MP, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab by then end of this year. CEO Arvind Bali said then that the company would invest Rs 550 crore by end of this fiscal to roll out the 4G services in the identified circles. Note that in February, Videocon had said that it would be rolling out 4G services in in Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West and Bihar telecom circles, though no specific date had been revealed. Other 4G launches: – Interestingly, competitor Airtel, which launched commercial operations for 4G…
