With companies going ga-ga about 3G technology in India, the latest to join the league is Vodafone. As the company is all set to roll out its 3G enabled services by the first quarter of next year.

The telecom major is waiting for the spectrum allocation currently and is planning to launch its services initially in nine circles. As recently only during the spectrum sale the company had bagged 3G in nine circles including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal.

The circles comprise of about 60% of company's current customer base and the company paid around Rs 11,617 crore for the same.

As Marten Pieters, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Vodafone Essar commented on the announcement that the company expects a strong response from these markets especially from the higher value customers as it is largely to cater to the higher urbane class.

Besides this, the company is also looking at possible opportunities for mergers and acquisitions considering if it is a good proposition. However the price and regulations are not favourable in the country currently for mergers and acquisitions.