List of Bangalore telecom companies

The city of Bangalore has basic landline operators as well as mobile phone operators. Landline numbers are 8 digits long, whereas GSM/CDMA cellular operators are 10 digits.

Landline Operators

The following companies provide landline services in Bangalore:

• BSNL: The largest and oldest operator in the telephone business in the government owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. It has 2.5 million subscribers. Its subscriber base is high as it was a monopoly till the late 90's. BSNL phone numbers start with the prefix '2'.
• Tata Indicom (formerly Hughes Telecom): A new entrant, it has garnered about 200,000 subscribers. Tata Indicom is a relatively new player taking over Hughes Telecom in 2002. Its numbers start with '6'.
• Reliance Infocomm: Is the latest entrant in the landline space. Its numbers start with '3'.
• AirTel: (formerly TouchTel): This is Bangalore's most popular telephone service. Its numbers start with '4'.

In some cases, landline carriers use CDMA facilities to provide 'last mile' access via Wireless Local Loop (WLL).

Mobile Operators

The following companies provide either GSM or CDMA mobile services in Bangalore:

GSM Operators

• Vodafone IN (404 86): Formerly Hutch. Vodafone has a large user base, and is one of the top mobile networks in India. Vodafone provides 3G in Karnataka eventhough it doesn't have 3G license. It makes use of Airtel's 3G network. Vodafone numbers start with '9886', '9986', '9960', '9739', '9742', '9538', '9620'.'9916'
• BSNL (404 71) : BSNL provides GSM mobile services in Karnataka state and across much of India. BSNL has 3G license for Karnataka and was first operator to launch 3G in Karnataka. BSNL numbers start with '9448', '9480', '9449', '9481', '9482','8762','9483'
• AirTel (404 45): AirTel is owned by Bharti Group. AirTel launched its 3G in Bangalore on 25 Jan 2011 as its first circle. With this launch AirTel becomes the third operator and second private operator to launch 3G in India. AirTel numbers start with '9845', '9880', '9945', '9980', '9900', '9901', '9902', '9740', '9741', '9731', '9663', '9632', '9611', '9686', '9008', '9535', '8105', '8971'.
• TATA DOCOMO (405 034) : Tata Telecom started its GSM service Tata Docomo in 2009. Tata Docomo is the second 3G network in India and the 1st private operator to launch 3G in India. Tata Docomo provides 3G services in main cities of Karnataka and for other cities it makes use of Aircel's 3G network. Tata Docomo no.s start with '9036', '9035', '8050', '8123', '8147','8940','7204'.
• Idea Cellular (404 44): Idea, India's 3rd largest mobile operator. It acquired Spice Telecom on Jan 2 2009 and made its entry to Karnataka and has expanded its coverage to larger part of Karnataka. Idea doesn't have 3G license for Karnataka therefore it provides 3G services through Airtel's 3G network. Idea no.s start with '9844', '9743', '9964', '9164'.
• Aircel (405 803): Chennai-based Aircel launched its GSM operations in Karnataka on March 2009. Aircel has 3G license for Karnataka and provides 3G services in most of the cities. In a few cities it uses Tata Docomo's 3G network. Aircel no.s start with '9738', '8892', '7988'.
• Reliance GSM (405 10): Reliance newly started their GSM service in 2009. Reliance GSM does not have 3G license for Karnataka circle. Currently it is not providing 3G services for Karnataka circle. Reliance GSM no.s start with '9019', '9590', '8088'.
• Uninor (405 820): Uninor is the 8th GSM operator that entered Bangalore. It was launched in Bangalore on 4 Nov 2009. Uninor is a joint-venture between India's Unitech wireless and Norwegian telecom Telenor. It doesn't have 3G license for any circle. Uninor no.s start with '9060','7899'.
• Virgin GSM: It is Bangalore's newest GSM telecom company. It makes use of TATA DOCOMO's network. Virgin numbers start with '8905'.

CDMA Operators

• Reliance CDMA: Reliance is one of the largest CDMA mobile operators in India. It has a huge user base and extends to small towns. Operations started in 2003. Reliance CDMA no.s start with '9341', '9342', '9343', '9379'.
• Tata Indicom: Tata Indicom, like Reliance also offers CDMA connections. Tata now has operations on a national scale. Tata Indicom no.s start with '9241', '9242', '9243'.
• MTS: Karnataka gets its third CDMA Operator called "MTS". Sistema-Shyam group owned MTS launched its CDMA services in Karnataka on October 29, 2009. MTS is the 8th mobile service provider that made its entry to Karnataka. MTS no.s start with '9141'.
• Virgin Mobile India: Virgin is one of the CDMA mobile operators in India. It has a huge user base and extends to small towns. Operations started in 2005.

Upcoming GSM operators

• Cheers Mobile (405 916): Cheers Mobile is a joint-venture between Etisalat and Dynamix Balwas Group. Currently Cheers Mobile is in test mode in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka. Cheers Mobile no.s start with '9513'.
• Loop Mobile (405 862): Loop Mobile, previously called as BPL Mobile, has already launched its services in Karnataka. Its complete launch will be completed within few months. Loop Mobile no.s start with '9108'.
• Videocon (405 831): Videocon group will launch its GSM services in Bangalore and Karnataka. Videocon no.s start with '9071'.

Upcoming CDMA operators

• BSNL CDMA: BSNL is already started its CDMA services in Karnataka. BSNL CDMA number will be called as WLL (Wireless local loop) numbers--- these numbers will be same as bsnl landline numbers.

And even it is having good EVDO service also.

Other

Tata Indicom and Reliance also offer Fixed Wireless Telephone Services. The phone connects to the base station on the network using wireless technology, instead of last mile copper wires. This cuts down on the need to dig up roads for laying out copper wires. This significantly reduces installation costs, speeds up the installation time and also reduces public inconvenience through less dug-up roads. It is also possible to connect to the Internet through Fixed Wireless Phones, either through captive broadband services or through dial-up connection to another ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Telecom Research and Consulting services

• Tonse Telecom Pvt Ltd http://www.tonsetelecom.com :India Centric Research and consulting services.
• Lekha Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd http://www.lekhawireless.com : Specialization in H/W and S/W development for Telecommunication systems (PHY, MAC, Embedded, and RF front end)

See also

• TRAI

External links

• Department of Telecommunications, Government of India
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
• Cellular Operators Association of India
• Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing
• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd
• Telecom Industry Coverage
• Indian Telephone Industries Limited
• Calling Bangalore, India