Srinagar, Nov 5: Aircel, India’s leading telco, today said the company was getting highest average revenue per user from the state, even as the “security prerequisites were the major hurdle in improving the infrastructure and services in J&K.”
 The company with an investment of Rs 640 crore in J&K, gets Rs 274 average revenue per user in the state, Aircel’s Circle Operations Head, J&K, Sundeep Talwar said today.
 At an interaction with a select group of mediapersons at its Srinagar office, Talwar said: “The people in JK seem to be more talkative than rest of the India as the company has been getting highest average revenue per user from the state.”
 “The people of Kashmir are loving and more hospital than anybody else. We received great support from the people here,” he added.
 “We have invested Rs 640 crore in J&K so far and the revenue generation is tremendous. We are fully satisfied.”
 Talwar said the tough procedures and clearances from various government agencies in J&K were affecting the company’s growth. “It is very difficult to operate in JK given many reasons and one of them is security,” he said.
 “We are facing difficulties in rural areas, especially the areas that fall close to Line of Control (LoC).”
 Talwar said they have to acquire No Objection Certificates from at least 37 security agencies in the State before setting up a tower.
 “There are plenty of formalities like soil testing etc. We have to comply with various guidelines set by the security agencies before providing services to our customers,” Talwar said. 
 On the ban on pre-paid SMS services in JK, he said the Company had already taken up the matter with the agencies concerned. “We expect flexibility in the near future,” he said.
 The company claimed to have launched 3G services in Jammu, Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahlgam. “We are also working to expand our services to other parts in the near future,” he said.
 The Aircel also launched its iPhone 5 for its consumers with 3 G services, he said.
 “Aircel is the growing GSM mobile service provider in J&K and stands at number one in Jammu and number 2 at Kashmir. Till October this year, our subscriber base has increased to 17,70,000 with a market share of 34 per cent in the State,” Talwar said.
 “We have 53 per cent subscriber base in Jammu and 47 per cent in Kashmir.”
 “We have been able to attain the leadership and winning the hearts of people as we are the fastest 3G service providers in the overall telecom space in the country as we believe in data bundling in the key markets.”
 “We have sold 223 iPhones in just 48 hours and we are running out of stock for 48 hours. We are providing the customers with annual benefit of Rs 21,000 on iPhone5 Aircel network,” said Talwar.
 “We have already erected 270 towers and more 95 towers would be erected by this December in J&K.”
 Speaking on the occasion, Head Corporate Communication Aircel Ltd Sabiana Arandaraj said the company has given direct employment to over 360 employees in J&K including 150 from Kashmir.
 “Besides, we are also actively involved in the Corporate Social Responsibility programs in J&K,” she said. 
 Sabiana said, as a part of CSR, Aircel will promote preserving wildlife and environment in the State in the near future.
 The ranges for iPhone5 go from Rs 45,500 for 16 GB model, Rs 52,500 for the 32GB model and Rs 59,500 for the 64 GB model which will be available on the retail stores besides on their website, www.aircel.com.
 Customers can also avail Aircel’s exclusive easy EMI services for 12 months.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST