Airtel to launch 2G, 3G services in Lanka; to pump in \0 mln

Colombo, Aug 15 (UNI) Announcing its plan of launching 2G and 3G services in Sri Lankan market by fiscal-end, Bharti Airtel Lanka Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Ltd today said it would invest 200 million dollars in the island nation over the next five years.

''With mobile penetration of around 30 per cent and growing at a rate of approximately two million mobile users per annum, we are excited about our entry into this market,'' said Sanjay Kapoor, President, Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel.

The mobile services from Bharti Airtel will be launched under the Airtel brand. Since the company is at present setting up its operations, a chunk of the committed investment will be made during the next 12 to 18 months, a company statement said.

Bharti Airtel was recently awarded the license to provide 2G and 3G mobile services in the country.

UNI