Bharti Airtel merges Kolkata, West Bengal circle

Kolkata, Nov 02 (UNI) Bharti Airtel has merged its Kolkata and West Bengal circles into a single integrated cellular operation, named Bharti Airtel-Bengal.

The move, effective from November 1, is a decisive step towards creation of an integrated One Airtel telecom operation nationally, sources said.

Bharti Airtel has also decided to bring its landline, mobile and broadband businesses in West Bengal under one umbrella.

Bharti Airtel board on Wednesday named Ajai Puri as the CEO of Bharti Airtel-Bengal.

Until Tuesday, Mr Puri was COO of Airtel-Kolkata, while Rohit Malhotra was COO of Airtels West Bengal circle.

The companys decision to merge Airtels Kolkata and West Bengal circles will enhance the scale of the combined operation, especially with a consolidated subscriber base of 1.45 million.

Merging of the twin circles in the state is also likely to highlight the company's case for a higher dose of spectrum from DoT.

The company has consolidated all technical services within its landline, mobile and broadband businesses in the state, sources added.

For Airtel customers, the merger means all calls within the state and Sikkim and Andaman&Nicobar Islands will be local. Calls to any Airtel number in the state from either a landline or mobile phone will be local.

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