Idea's 3G services hits into four more towns in HP

IDEA Cellular, India’s third largest mobile operator has expanded its ‘Gold Standard’ 3G services to 4 more towns - Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Mandi and Sunder Nagar – in addition to Shimla and Baddi in HP. Local citizens, business communities in HP, and domestic and international travelers to tourist destinations like Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Mandi, Sunder Nagar, Shimla and Baddi can now avail Idea’s 3G services to connect with the world of faster Internet, Video Conferencing, Mobile TV, IdeaMall Application Store, besides many other infotainment services.

Idea launched 3G services on its network in Himachal Pradesh, starting with the 2 major towns, Shimla and Baddi, in March ’11 end. Idea has received an overwhelming response since 3G services were introduced in the state.  Speaking about the 3G expansion in the circle, Mr. Anish Roy, COO – Punjab, HP and J&K, Idea Cellular, said: “Idea has constantly endeavored to empower the people of Himachal by making mobile services available across the Himalayan state. Idea subscribers in Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Mandi and Sunder Nagar will now get an opportunity to experience high-end data services such as Video Conferencing, Idea Mall Application Store, Mobile TV, Video on Demand, and high-speed Internet Browsing with ease and convenience of use.”

IdeaMall is Idea’s Application Store which offers an entire catalogue of games and applications on Web & Mobile platforms. The application store will give Idea’s customers a superior user interface, transparent and affordable pricing, and all of Idea’s 2G and 3G subscribers using mobile handsets that support web browsing will be able to choose from more than 30,000 applications, both free and paid. Idea’s national 3G footprint now covers over 400 towns and is progressively growing at the rate of 10 towns per day to cover 750 towns by mid 2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. Idea has traditionally focused on growth from semi-urban heartlands of India and will continue to drive its 3G services from these industrial, agricultural and educational regions.

Idea’s 3G services are now available in 9 circles - MP, Gujarat, HP, UP West, UP East, AP, Kerala, Haryana and Maharashtra & Goa. Currently, 10% of Idea subscribers in these markets are said to be using 3G enabled handsets. It is expected that these users will be the early adopters of 3G services. Idea’s 3G services will offer the best mobile experience in downloading songs, streaming videos on YouTube, streaming audio, photo updates on Facebook, mail and other online media, movie downloads, watching mobile TV, e-mailing with attachments, blog postings, viewing photos, and Flash & HD Gaming. Idea 3G users will experience speed upto 21 Mbps on 3G handsets, and higher speed on other devices depending on the device capability.

Idea has introduced Time based Billing plan for 3G services enabling users to avail high-end data services without worrying about the volume of usage. To promote usage, Idea has introduced ‘sachet’ pricing offering attractive trial packages with per day billing. To know more about Idea’s 3G services, and to check handset compatibility, customers can log onto www.ideacellular.com/3g or SMS 3G to Toll Free No. 54777. To feel the difference personally, mobile users can experience 3G services at special ‘Experience Kiosks’ set up inside Idea outlets.

Idea gains 1 Million 3G users within one month of launch

Idea Cellular, the 3rd largest mobile operator has enrolled One Million 3G users within the first month of launch in India. Starting with 3G network in 9 cities in March ’11 end, Idea now covers over 400 towns across the country.

One Million Idea users are now enjoying superior quality Voice, Text & Data Services including High Speed Internet browsing upto 21.1 Mbps, Video Calling, Mobile TV, Idea Application Mall, Multi player gaming & many more applications on the 3G platform.

Announcing the new milestone, Mr. Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular said, “3G services will attend to the high speed digital needs of our consumers, creating opportunities for education, employment, engagement and entertainment, thus empowering consumers and positively impacting their lifestyles. Idea is focused on bringing this transformation in the telecommunication space, and we are happy to become the fastest growing 3G network, with a growth rate of more than 10 towns per day covering 1 Million 3G users in the first month.”

Idea’s 3G services cover 400 towns in 9 circles extending from Major Urban Markets, Tier 1&2 cities and finally reaching out to the deep hinterlands. The company is committed to launch 10 new towns per day for the next 365 days to extend the experience to 50% of the existing subscriber base with the latest 3G Services. Idea’s 3G services will progressively grow to cover 750 towns by mid 2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. Idea has traditionally focused on growth from semi-urban heartlands of India and will continue to drive its 3G services from these industrial, agricultural and educational regions.

Commenting on the initial experience, Mr. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular said, “Early trends indicate high uptake of Wireless Broadband data by existing 3G Handheld users. Data usage by Idea’s 3G users is already at 20% of the total Mobile Data usage recorded by the company, in the first month of launch, and this is expected to grow exponentially with the proliferation of services.”

Idea Cellular launched its 3G Services on 28th March, 2011 in 3 circles - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh – and since then has been progressively launching 3G services in 6 other circles of UP East, UP West, Maharashtra & Goa, Kerala, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Idea is the first operator in India to introduce Time based Billing plan for 3G services enabling users to avail high-end data services without worrying about the volume of usage. To promote usage, Idea has introduced ‘sachet’ pricing offering attractive trial packages with per day billing.

Idea launches 3G services now in Kerala

 

Idea Cellular today launched its 3G services in Kerala. With this, the company now provides the service in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, HP, Maharashtra, Haryana and UP, besides Kerala.

Ambrish Jain, deputy managing director, said the company's 3G services would commence from Kozhikode city, Payyoli, Quilandy, Feroke, Beypore, Malappuram, Kottakkal, Vengara, Parappanangadi, Thrissur, Ollur, Mannuthi, Cherur, Amala Nagar, Triprayar, Kochi city, Fort Kochi, Tripunithara, Kalamassery, Aluva, Alleppey, Cherthala, Adoor, Kottarakara and Punalur and will be extended to cover 175 towns by the middle of this year and over 1,215 towns by the end of 2012.

Idea has set up experience kiosks to provide a flavour of the services that customers can opt for. These will be available to all users at select My Idea stores in these towns.  Idea’s national 3G footprint will cover 200 towns by this month, growing at a rate of 10 towns per day to cover 750 towns by mid-2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. Currently, 10 per cent of Idea’s 86 million subscribers are said to be using 3G-enabled handsets.

B Ramakrishna, chief operating officer (Kerala), Idea Cellular, said the company had introduced time-based billing plan for 3G services enabling users to avail high-end data services without worrying about the volume of usage. To promote usage, Idea has introduced sachet pricing, offering trial packages with per day billing.

Idea kicks off 3G services in Haryana

 

Idea Cellular today announced the launch of its 3G services in Haryana. "We are happy to flag off Gold Standard 3G services in select locations in Haryana today, and will continue to expand 3G services in centres of learning, and high potential rural hinterlands where broadband is yet to make a breakthrough," Rajat Mukarji, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Idea Cellular said in a press release.

The company has rolled out 3G services in Haryana, covering Ambala, Hisar, Rewari, Rohtak, Panipat, Bhiwani, Jhajjar and Hansi. "Idea's 3G services will progressively grow to cover 24 towns by April '11, and over 230 towns by the end of FY12," he said.

Idea's 3G services will offer the mobile experience in downloading songs, streaming videos on YouTube, streaming audio, photo updates on Facebook, mail and other online media, movie downloads, watching mobile TV, e-mailing with attachments, he said.

The telecom player won 2.1 GHz (3G Spectrum) in 11 circles - MP and Chattisgarh, HP, Maharashtra and Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Haryana, UP East, UP West, AP, J&K and Punjab - which contribute over 80 per cent of the company's revenues. Idea's 3G services are now available in MP, Gujarat, HP, Maharashtra, and UP West and Haryana.