Uninor-2G-FootprintThe Indian arm of Norway’s telecom major Uninor acquired additional spectrum in 1800MHz band in Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West, Bihar & Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, while Assam will be the new circle for the company.

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While other operators are gearing up for rolling out next gen high speed mobile internet a.k.a. mobile broadband with different technologies like WCDMA, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA, LTE-FDD or LTE-TDD, Telenor plans to continue offering voice, text and 2G mobile internet to its customers, thus Assam fits in their plans. Interestingly the company left two of most profitable circles – West Bengal and Kolkata in 2012 auction, and this time they did not try to get back; may be because these two circles are in Reliance Jio’s intial roll out plans.

Uninor currently operates in 6 circles – Maharastra & Goa, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West, Bihar & Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. Spectrum acquired by Uninor in the 1800Mhz band: UP East – 1.8 MHz, UP West – 2.0 MHz, Bihar and Jharkhand – 2.2 MHz, Andhra Pradesh – 1.4 MHz, Assam – 6.0 MHz. Uninor has to pay Rs 844.72 cr for this spectrum.

“It is critical that mobile tariffs remain affordable for the mass market after the auctions. With its auction strategy, Uninor has ensured that it can continue to offer the most affordable tariffs in each of its seven circles while maintaining a healthy business case. We have now secured a spectrum platform for continuing growth and profitability in each of our circles,” said Morten Karlsen Sorby, nominated CEO of Uninor.