Idea Cellular, today launched its 4G LTE services across five states in South India – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. In the first phase it will be available across 75 Towns in Southern India, which includes Kochi, Hosur, Kadapa, Malapuram, Madurai, Mysore, Rajahmundry, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam, while Belgaum, Calicut, Cuddalore, Chitradurga, Guntur, Kakinada, Kancheepuram and Trichur will follow by 31st December 2015, said Idea.
Southern India metros and large towns including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Mangalore and Coimbatore will get Idea 4G by March 2016. Other states such as Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra & Goa, Punjab, Haryana, North East and Orissa will also get 4G by March 2016 in a phased manner.
Idea 4G rates start at Rs. 246 for 1GB data and goes up to Rs. 1497 for 12GB data. 4G packs come with 28 days validity and the rates might vary depending on the circle. Idea is also offering double the data in all the 4G packs for both the prepaid and postpaid customers for a limited period.
It acquired 1800 MHz spectrum during the spectrum auctions in February 2014 and March 2015. It already announced its plans to roll out 4G services across its 10 telecom service areas – Maharashtra & Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Punjab and Haryana, Karnataka, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and North East in over 750 large and small towns by the first half of 2016.
Idea said that it had recently signed an agreement with Videocon Telecommunications Limited for acquiring ‘Right to Use’ 1800 MHz spectrum under ‘Spectrum Trading Agreement’ in two of its key telecom leadership markets of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (West). “Post completion of this transaction, 4G services will be extended to 12 service areas, covering 75% of Idea’s revenue base in the country,” said the company.
Idea customers with 4G devices in these 75 towns can get 4G by upgrading their existing SIM cards to new 4G SIM cards through Idea stores nearby.
Commenting on the launch of 4G services, Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular said:
Worldwide, 4G technology is gaining widespread acceptance with global 4G subscriptions crossing 1 billion mark. The launch of Idea 4G LTE services will further expand Idea’s Wireless Broadband network and propel the brand to an even higher growth trajectory, consolidating its market position.