Idea Cellular completes pan-India 4G rollout with launch in Mumbai

NEW DELHI: Telecom operator Idea Cellular said that it has launched its 4G services in Mumbai on 2100 MHz spectrum band.

"Idea is one of the leading telecom operators with a subscriber base of 4.4 million and revenue market share of 10.2% in Mumbai," the company claimed.

At launch, Idea in Mumbai has already upgraded nearly 1,600 of its existing 3,500 telecom sites with 4G services, and work is in progress at a fast pace to upgrade an additional 1,000 sites by end of the monsoon period.

"Mobile telephony subscribers in Mumbai, from today, will be able to experience high-speed Idea 4G services up to 34 Mbps. To facilitate a seamless adoption of its latest 4G services, Idea is pleased to make an initial 90-days ‘Invitation offer’ to all its 4.4 million mobile users and new customers joining the company during the same period, as and when they upgrade to a 4G device and a 4G SIM," the company said in a statement.

According to Pamesh Gupta, Circle Head – Mumbai, Idea Cellular, “It is a historic moment for Idea in Mumbai. The company is upgrading most of its 2G network to high speed 4G LTE services and allow Mumbaikars to experience world-class mobile broadband services. We are happy to invite all our 4.4 million Idea customers to experience our latest 4G services and join the digital revolution.”

"With the launch of 4G LTE services in Mumbai, Idea declares Pan-India mobile broadband operations. In shortest possible time, Idea mobile broadband services are now available to over 525 million Indians covering near 6,000 towns and 100,000 villages on 3G and 4G network pan India," the statement said.

"On 4G, Idea is now available in 20 circles excluding Kolkata and Delhi covering 350 million Indians across nearly 50,000 towns and villages," it said.

"With the additional capex guidance for FY18 at Rs. 6,000 crores, on a back of Rs. 7,800 crores expenditure on capital equipment in FY16-17, Idea remains committed to rapidly expand its mobile broadband services across length and breadth of the country," it added.

According to Rajat Mukarji, Chief Corporate Affairs, Idea Cellular, “Idea, over the years has established itself as a strong telecom operator for mobile voice services available nearly to 1 billion Indians spread over 400,000 towns and villages. The company with the focused last 18 months investment in wireless broadband services is emerging to become a key mobile data player with its Pan-India presence, offering high-speed internet access to over 525 million Indians spread across nearly 6,000 towns and 100,000 villages on 3G & 4G network. We are confident that the near 200 million Idea subscriber base will soon join the digital era as our fellow citizen participate in the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Digital India Vision .”

During this year, Idea is scheduled to expand its 2G, 3G and 4G services to over 300,000 sites on 2G (GSM), 3G (HSPA) or 4G (LTE) services continuing the growth momentum. The company is transforming itself from being a pure mobility voice player to a strong mobile broadband operator, and the introduction of its digital services is a step in that direction. Out of a current base of nearly 200 million customers, 25 million are presently enjoying Idea wireless broadband services.

Speaking about the 4G services, Mr. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular said, “The launch of 4G in Mumbai completes Brand Idea’s mobile broadband presence. Idea has always taken pride in transforming people’s lives, and with the company evolving to be a strong wireless broadband player, we will continue to transform and delight the consumers in their digital journey.”