The expansion announcement comes on the back of Uninor achieving breakeven by proving the sustainability of its operating model. Uninor has acquired an additional 1.4 MHz of spectrum in Andhra Pradesh in 1800MHz band. The total spectrum for Andhra Pradesh with this addition will be 6.4 MHz. This strengthening of spectrum will lead to superior voice and data services.
This expansion drive will significantly benefit Vijayawada Circle comprising of Krishna, Guntur and West Godavari districts. The circle will see an addition of 70 new sites, besides better quality and wider outreach because of spectrum expansion.
Speaking on the expansion, Satish Kannan, Circle Business Head, Uninor said; “The announcement is a part of Uninor’s network expansion plan for Andhra Pradesh region of which Vijayawada is an important market. We want to assure all our partners and customers that we are a mass market service operator and will continue to offer ‘Sabse-Sasta’ services in Andhra Pradesh.”
Uninor today serves over 4.5 million subscribers across Andhra Pradesh. The company offers its connections and recharges through 60000 points of sale 175 exclusive stores and 375 distributors in the circle. The points of sale will be expanded to 65000 in Andhra Pradesh by end of June this year. Uninor’s current market share in Andhra Pradesh is 15% to 17% in Gross add, which is month on month additions in subscriber base.
According to Satish Kannan, Uninor has been focusing on Pre-paid which is mass market and 99% of the customers are prepaid subscribers.
