Bharti Airtel Acquires 49% Stake in Qualcomm India To Launch 4G Services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala and Haryana

Bharti Airtel, India’s largest mobile service operator today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a substantial stake of 49% in Qualcomm Asia Pacific (India) , which has emerged as a successful bidder in the 4 circles of the auction for 4G Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Spectrum conducted by the DoT in June 2010.

Airtel has 4G BWA license and spectrum in 4 circles – Kolkata, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab and launched its commercial 4G Broadband services in Kolkata and Bangalore (Karnataka) as we earlier shared on TelecomTalk, now can offer the same 4G BWA services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala and Haryana where in Qualcomm holds 4G spectrum and license.

Under the agreement, Bharti has made an initial investment of approximately USD 165 million to acquire 49 percent stake in Qualcomm AP’s India, partly by way of acquisition of 26 percent equity interest equally held by Global Holding Corporation Private Limited and Tulip Telecom Limited, and the balance by way of subscription of fresh equity in those entities.

The agreement contemplates that once commercial operations are launched, subject to certain terms and conditions, Bharti would assume complete ownership and financial responsibility for the BWA entities by the end of 2014.

Commenting on the partnership Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Airtel said, “We are delighted to partner with Qualcomm, who shares our commitment to the Government’s agenda of broadband for all. This partnership will combine the strength of Bharti’s national telecom footprint and Qualcomm’s technological leadership in the LTE TDD space. With a broadband ready network across India, Bharti is well positioned to lead the next phase of Indian’s telecom revolution.”

Saurabh May 25, 2012 at 9:44 am

Worst News. Airtel, we don’t want you in Haryana. We already know what kind of 2G services you provide. Only one word for your 2G services and it is “WORST”. I was happy when Qualcomm got license and was expecting a better services at a good price point from them but now prices will be in-line with what Airtel has set in other two circles where they have launched services.

Airtel Sucks!

Shinefire May 24, 2012 at 8:56 pm

Bad news for Kerala customers..

Upesh May 24, 2012 at 8:36 pm

Government should sell license to only those who are actually want to use that license for providing services.such conditions effects people. many companies brought tha license in past time and did not started service in 2g as well as in 3g and then sold stake or license in high rates to other compititors

Sandeep May 24, 2012 at 7:20 pm

Bad news. This reduces the no. of players in 4G.

Jitu May 24, 2012 at 6:49 pm

Airtel will soon loot in these four states also…very bad and sad news :’(

Damn it! May 24, 2012 at 5:55 pm

10GB on 3G

Airtel- 1250
Vodafone- 1052
Aircel – 997 with FUP 128kbps

Idea 6GB at 21Mbps and 128kbps after that

PD May 24, 2012 at 5:43 pm

All the service providers who have had stated few days earlier that call rates/data cost will increase, are now competitively reducing the rates (2G/3G) ! May to be make fast buck to make up the pay-off loss (2G scam). Anyway good for the subscribers !

raja May 24, 2012 at 5:39 pm

wow what Mr. Sunil mittal has said………………“We are delighted to partner with Qualcomm, who shares our commitment to the Government’s agenda of broadband for all……………joke of the day……………agar airtel broadband for all me biswas karta to kolkata me itna ghatiya 4G plan launch na karta…………..aur after FUP the broadband for all becomes 128 kbps……………great broadband for all at rs 8000 4G modem and with these great plans…………….

BITTU SINGH May 24, 2012 at 5:31 pm