Idea subscriber base in Maha, Goa circle touches 20 mn

Idea Cellular, country's third largest mobile operator, has crossed 20 million subscriber base for the first time in Maharashtra and Goa circle. This year alone, Idea added 3.6 million subscribers. The company is now eyeing high growth in other circles like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

"Maharashtra and Goa circle is one of the highest revenue grossers for the telecom sector in India, and contributes largest share of revenue for Idea. Our operations in the circle is greater in terms of revenue and subscribers than the full service operations of most regional operators in India. Next, we are targeting Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh circle to replicate fast growth. Idea became the only operator in the country to grow its revenue market share (RMS) in Maharashtra and Goa circle by over 2 percentage points in a year to 31.4 per cent in Q1 FY 15, " said Ambrish Jain, deputy managing director, Idea Cellular.

Idea has 2G and 3G network in the circle comprising 15,000 sites covering more than 6,200 towns and villages and it has expanded its network of service centres to 860 in the circle.

Jain added, "Last year, about 65-70 million new subscribers were added to 2G and 3G network in the country. The company is expanding its network in rural areas to tap this growing customer base across its 22 telecom circles."

Idea's 20 per cent of the revenues come from mobile data and value added services such as SMSes, dial tones.

Rajendra Chourasia, COO, Maharashtra and Goa, Idea Cellular said, "We are committed to further drive mobile penetration in the state and take our users on to the next wave of mobile data services. The steady growth in our leading market will provide thrust to the overall revenue growth for Idea. Over 30 per cent incremental revenue market share together with 30 per cent active customer base were driving rapid growth for the company. At present, Idea's overall business was growing at 20 per cent year-on-year."

Last year, mobile data services alone, which grew 90 per cent year-on-year basis, raked in over Rs 1,000 crore in sales revenues. With a RMS of 17.1 per cent, Idea Cellular clocked Rs 26,110.40 crore sales revenue last financial year.