Airtel Lanka receives 900MHz spectrum from regulator

Details: James Barton; Category: Wireless Networks; 18 November 2019; 4915 views

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has granted Bharti Airtel Lanka a 5MHz block of 900MHz spectrum.

The operator, which is branded as Airtel Lanka, confirmed that the block was awarded on an “administrative basis” in line with existing frameworks aimed at creating a level playing field.

The framework states that “every operator shall have equal amount of spectrum at all possible times in such economical bands. Therefore, during evaluation of applications the prominence will be given to minimise unequal distribution of radio frequency spectrum (if any) within the above band. [The] evaluation will be based on to guarantee interference-free spectrum.”

Airtel noted that its subscribers would benefit from wider coverage and therefore a better voice and data experience. The operator’s managing director & CEO Jinesh Hegde confirmed that it has already started to use the spectrum, and described the allocation as “the first step in a bold strategy from Airtel which aims to leapfrog current benchmarks in order to provide an unbeatable user experience.”