Idea launches 3G network in Kolkata

NEW DELHI: India's 3rd largest telecom operator, Idea Cellular has launched its 3G services in Kolkata on 2100 MHz spectrum band that was acquired through auction earlier this year. Kolkata is the capital of India's West Bengal state.

The telecom operator is committed to provide superior customer experience on both voice and data services and has started rolling out its own 3G network, in a phased manner, while continuing to offer 3G ICR, to give its customers a seamless and superior mobile broadband experience.

As committed at the beginning of the financial year, Idea managed to launch its own 3G services in Kolkata, within a short duration of spectrum allocation.

With this, Idea’s 3G network has expanded to 13 major markets in India, covering 79% of Idea’s revenue and 60% of industry revenue. Additionally, Idea offers 3G services through ICR arrangements with other telecom operators in 9 circles, providing its users seamless connectivity pan-India (except Orissa).

“Idea’s continuous investment in spectrum acquisition, network infrastructure, and brand building in the Eastern market is a testimony to our commitment to the region. With the launch of 3G services in Kolkata, it has now become the 2nd metro after Delhi where Idea has set up its own 3G network. I am confident that this will drive data usage amongst our existing users and further strengthen brand pull resulting in more customers opting for our superior network," said Lakshminarayana, Chief Operating Officer – Corporate, Idea Cellular.

Idea 3G users will now experience ease of service while accessing content like mobile TV, video on demand, music downloads, online gaming, amongst many others.

“Idea has nearly 20 lakh customers in Kolkata with approximately 20% being Data users. With the launch of our own 3G network in the metro, the existing Idea 3G users will experience enhanced services, products and offerings and the new subscribers will benefit from our affordable 3G tariffs and superior network. Our strengthened 3G network will further spur our marketshare growth in Kolkata metro," said Anish Roy, Chief Operating Officer – East, Idea Cellular.

Idea has registered the highest growth in Revenue Market Share (RMS), in Kolkata and Rest of Bengal, in Q2FY16 on a YoY basis, as per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) quarterly report. Its Incremental RMS for the same period was the highest amongst all players in the region, a demonstration of the faith the customers have reposed in the Idea network.

Idea has significantly bolstered its infrastructure in the state over the last few years. By the end of FY16, it will have a network of 7400 2G cell sites in the state, in addition to 1300 3G sites in Kolkata metro.

The company has also increased the number of Idea service centres in the state to more than 250. With its focus on providing a world-class customer experience, Idea Cellular continues to expand and grow its presence in the state.