Bharti Airtel has for the first time set up a 4G network 15 kms in the sea to provide data connectivity to the participants of International Fleet Review (IFR), which is being hosted by Indian Navy.
In a first of its kind initiative Airtel claims that it has facilitated 4G network availability 15 kms inside the sea to provide coverage for nearly 100 warships that will land at Vishakapatnam as part of IFR. The towers had to be erected on the seashore facing the waters to provide seamless 4G connectivity. This is the first time that an Indian service provider is bringing 4G mobile connectivity to the shipyard and inside the sea.
“Though it is not very different from a normal network in terms of technology and coverage, we had to map the area completely so that we were able to put a site at the right place. We had to put up new sites in the area to ensure seamless coverage to the participants. This is the first time that this has been done,” says Venkatesh Vijayraghavan, Chief Executive Officer – Andhra Pradesh, Bharti Airtel.
IFR is being held at Vishakhapatnam, or Vizag as it is often referred to, naval base from February 4 to February 8. The company had to install a number of additional base stations to provide seamless coverage at the event. While Naval Base would continue to be covered by Airtel’s 4G network, it depends on the organizers
“Besides setting up a consumer 4G network we are looking at multiple opportunities, like this event, in the enterprise side to expand our reach,” says Vijayraghavan.
Airtel has launched 4G services in four towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh, including Nellore, Vijayawada, Tirupati & Sri City.
