Indian operator Aircel plans to double its subscriber base this year and invest US$5 billion in its network over the next three to five years, reports India’s Economic Times. Such moves come as the country’s seventh-largest operator by subscribers (16.1 million as of end Q4 2008, according to Wireless Intelligence) delivers on its promise to become “a full-fledged national operator by 2009.” Aircel currently has networks live in 13 circles in India. By the end of next month it is targeting launch in 18 circles. Aircel is a joint-venture between Maxis Communications of Malaysia and Apollo Hospital Enterprise of India, with Maxis holding a majority stake of 74 percent. 

Aircel is likely to remain a strong contender in India once the country’s 3G licenses are eventually awarded. India itself is the world’s second-largest mobile market, with imminent developments such as Mobile Number Portability and the recent cutting of local termination rates expected to further fuel growth in the country.