Bharti Airtel gets 3G licence in Niger

NEW DELHI: Telecom major Bharti Airtel bagged a third generation or '3G' licence in Niger Thursday, extending its 3G footprint to 17 African countries.

Bharti, also India's No 1 mobile carrier, now has operations in 17 African countries, but has rolled out 3G services commercially in only 15 markets.

Armed with its latest 3G permit in Niger, on the heels of a similar licence in Chad, it proposes to roll out 3G services commercially in both countries shortly.

The 3G licence for Niger was issued by the country's telecom regulator, Autorite de Regulation Multisectorielle (ARM), which will allow Airtel Niger to launch services such as mobile internet, video-telephony and music downloads.

Airtel Africa CEO Christian de Faria said the "3G license acquisition would “help accelerate growth opportunities presented by third-generation technology in Niger".

Bharti’s African operations, however, have till date been a drag on the company, as it is yet to turn a profit there even four years after the Sunil Mittal-headed telco entered Africa.