Internet services provider Tikona Digital says it will start providing 4G broadband services in the first half of 2016 across 30 cities in five telecom circles, reports The Economic Times. Note that back in 2012, Tikona CMO Heramb Ranade had mentioned that they plan to launch 4G services in the country by early 2014. That's quite a delay. Tikona had won 20 MHz of 4G spectrum in five telecom circles of Gujarat, UP-East, UP-West, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, for which it had paid Rs 1,058 crore in the 2010 BWA auction. Note that the BWA obligations for Tikona have already kicked in on August 31. As per these obligations, all BWA licensees should provide street level coverage in at least 90% of the metro service areas and at least 50% of the rural short distance changing areas (SDCAs) by 2015 (five years of the effective date), failing which the BWA spectrum provided will be withdrawn. The Economic Times report adds that the company is currently running a commercial pilot to offer high-speed broadband services in Varanasi, targeting home and enterprise users. Ranade also told the publication that they'll be pricing the service at around a fifth of current 3G prices. Tikona offers wireless broadband services to home consumers and small enterprises (through the acquisition of HCL Infinet) and is currently operational operational in 25 Indian cities after winding down services in 13 cities in December 2012. IFC funding Tikona raised $45 million investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and existing investors. Of this, IFC has invested $25 million into Tikona while the remaining $20 million is from existing…
