(MENAFN) Flush with an investment outlay of USD3 billion a year on networks, telecom major Bharti Airtel plans to double its 4G network by next fiscal as it gears up to take on competition, including the much-awaited foray of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries group, Gulf News reported.

"We have decided to roll out (4G). We have 20,000 base station now, in March, and we will be doing another 20,000 next year," Bharti Airtel Chairman said.

He said that funds would not be a constraint for the company's expansion plans as it is spending USD3 billion every year on networks alone, excluding spectrum, and its 2G and 3G roll-outs are among the most expensive in the country.

The company will be rolling out mobile tower sites to use its 20MHz broadband wireless access spectrum, which he said its "life saving" as 3G networks are now choking up in metros and tiers 1 cities.