China Mobile expects to support 1.4 million LTE base stations by the end of 2016, according to the company’s latest financial report. China Mobile ended 2015 with 1.1 million LTE base stations across the country, an increase from 720,000 base stations at the end of 2014.
China Mobile said its infrastructure currently provides LTE coverage to 1.2 billion people in the country. The operator ended last year with 312 million LTE customers across the country, compared to 90 million customers at the end of 2014, and expects to reach 500 million LTE subscribers by the end of this year.
The carrier said it currently serves 826 million total customers, representing 63% market share. LTE customers account for 38% of its overall mobile base.
China Mobile said it invested 195.6 billion yuan ($30.2 billion) in 2015, with LTE infrastructure investments totaling 79.1 billion yuan for the year. The operator forecasts 2016 capital expenditures to reach 186.2 billion yuan, with 75.7 billion yuan targeted at LTE services.
Operating revenues last year reached 668.3 billion yuan, a 2.6% increase from the 651.5 billion yuan posted in 2014. China Mobile’s net profits remained relatively flat year-over-year at 108.5 billion yuan.
Bharti Airtel to use Videocon’s LTE spectrum in six circles
In other APAC news, Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel reached an agreement with rival Videocon Telecommunications to acquire 10 megahertz of spectrum in the 1.8 GHz band covering six circles for INR 44.3 billion ($662 million). Bharti Airtel said it plans to use the spectrum to support LTE services.
With the agreement, Bharti Airtel will be authorized to use Videocon’s spectrum in Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West and Gujarat through 2032. The agreement still requires approval from the Department of Telecommunications. If approved, Airtel said it will offer LTE services in 19 telecoms circles across India.