Mobile network operator Aircel is currently conducting trials of
Long-Term Evolution (4G) services in Andhra Pradesh but it will take a while before they are commercially launched.
"The trials are currently on but we don't have the required ecosystem, including the 4G-enabled mobile handsets, to launch the services commercially," Deepinder Tiwana, AP Circle Business Head of Aircel, said on Friday.
Aircel is only the second cellular service provider after
Reliance to bag 4G licence for AP Circle.
"Data services are growing exponentially in Andhra Pradesh. About 44 per cent of our 1.85 million subscribers in AP use data services, including 12 per cent for 3G. This has enabled us to double our revenues in 2013 compared to the previous year," he said.
Accordingly, Aircel is coming up with new data plans as also voice plans to give more value for money to the customers, Tiwana said. "We have identified the priority segments and are accordingly drawing up our strategies to drive future growth."
The private mobile phone operator, that was making a loss of about Rs 250 crore per annum till last year, is on the turnaround path.
"We will start making full-year profit from next year," Tiwana said, but did not disclose figures.
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