Vodafone CEO-East Sridhar Rao announced yesterday that the company will connect all villages in West Bengal by 2009. At present it covers close to 30 villages in the region.

The CEO also assured that the quality of services will improve as a consequence of Vodafone buying a controlling stake in Essar, but added that it will take some time.

Rao said the company was increasing cell sites for better services. "In Kolkata alone, the company was adding 50 to 60 cell sites," he said. At present, the company has 1,400 cell sites in Kolkata, an d1,900 in the Bengal circle.

Rao also disclosed that the company will launch Vodafone-branded GSM phones priced at Rs 1,199. 

Vodafone also announced its Durga Puja initiatives in West Bengal for this year, in an attempt to push its subscriber base in the region as well as connect with its consumers emotionally. For the first time this year, Vodafone will offer live updates in partnership with Radio Mirchi.

Vodafone has also announced '''Jogajoger Utsab' for customers in Kolkata. This will commence with Aagomoni, a musical extravaganza on October 9. Jogajoger Utsav is also an assortment of products and programmes that includes value-added services, musical evenings, privilege booklets and performances by renowned artists and musicians.

Vodafone will also offer value-added services showcasing Durga Puja pictures, stories, ringtones and callertunes. Vodafone will also initiate musical evenings across eight locations in the city. These locations will be determined through a contest prior to Durga Puja.

The company will also distribute puja privilege booklets to all its post paid customers this month.