Airtel coverage in southernmost end of India

Port Blair, Sep 13: Airtel is all set to launch its service in remote islands Nicobar group, the Southern most part of Indian territory, which is presently covered only by BSNL, official said.

Airtel has already entered in Andaman Group of islands last year capturing a healthy share of market. Presently BSNL, Reliance and Airtel are the three cellular companies operating in this remote archipelago.

"We would spread our network in different islands of Nicobar Group in phase wise manner. We have initiated our efforts and by next three months Airtel network could be seen in Nicobars," Nasir Jadwet of Jadwet Agencies, the local franchise of Bharti Cellular Limited (Airtel) told UNI in Port Blair.

Nicobars is constituted with a group of islands in the Southern part of Andaman and Nicobar Union Territory. The district is designated as an Integrated Tribal District, and is home to significant numbers of indigenous peoples (namely, the Nicobarese and the Shompen, classified as Scheduled Tribes according to the Constitution of India), who form the majority of the district's population.

The total population of Nicobar district as per 2001 Census of India figures was 42,068. The district was severely affected by the tsunami that was caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which led to many deaths and damaged infrastructure.

"After this expansion Airtel users will get our coverage even in Indira Point-- situated in Campbell Bay-- the southernmost end of Indian territory," Jadwet added.

Campbell Bay Island also known as Great Nicobar is just 225 kilometers (140 miles) from Banda Aceh.

UNI