Indian operator Tikona Digital Networks plans to buy $200M worth of LTE equipments from top vendors, reports the Economic Times. Operator has floated a request for proposals (RFP) from vendors for LTE network gear to deploy wireless broadband networks in the five circles it has license to operate.

Operator won the frequencies in Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP-East, UP-West and Himachal Pradesh Indian BWA auction. It may initially launch LTE services beginning 2013 in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Tikona received approval to increase foreign investment in the company up to 74% in March 2010 and its investors include Goldman Sachs Investment Partners,  Indivision India Partners, Oak India Investments, and L&T Infrastructure Finance.

Bharti Airtel has already launched LTE services in Bangalore and Kolkata. While other BWA spectrum holders including Reliance Industries have yet to announce the LTE