Andrew Bonwick
Vice President of Product Development at Relm Insurance
Madhav Sheth
CEO of Ai+ Smartphone
Stephen Rose
CEO Render Networks

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea customers will be able to enjoy better network services and increased 4G speeds with better coverage as well. A new ET Telecom report highlights that both the companies are looking forward to refarm the bulk of their 2G and 3G spectrum to be used for 4G services, the analysts have remarked. Previously, we have heard from Bharti Airtel CEO, Gopal Vittal that the telecom operator has refarmed the 900 MHz spectrum in 10 of its circles to be used for 4G services. Bharti Airtel also plans to shut down its 3G services by the end of December this year. With this, the telco will also use the 2100 MHz spectrum for relaying 4G services.

Vodafone Idea to Complete Network Integration by June 2020
On the other hand, Vodafone Idea CEO, Balesh Sharma had also remarked in late July that the company had refarmed the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz spectrum in seven circles to be used for 4G network. He also added that the dual network integration of Vodafone Idea would likely be completed by June 2020 and that the refarming of the spectrum would be a key element in the integration process. This move is likely to result in better 4G services for the customers of both Airtel and Vodafone Idea in many circles.
As per the analysts, both the carriers could outcompete Reliance Jio Infocomm when it comes to getting quality 4G customers as the total airwaves that these two telecom operators will be holding will be more than what the Mukesh Ambani led telco will have in its share post-refarming. According to the estimates filed by ICICI Securities, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea will have 28% and 33.1% more 4G carriers as compared to Reliance Jio post the refarming of 3G and 2G spectrum. The 4G data consumption is also expected to rise sharply in the coming days. The current average data usage is 11.6GB per month per person as opposed to the 45GB monthly data allowance per month. The 4G penetration levels currently stand at 41%.