Idea unveils new tariff plans in MP

Idea Cellular, cellular service provider in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, has announced two new tariff plans bringing the rates for its post-paid subscribers at par with that offered by fixed-line telephone service providers.

According to the new plan, Idea subscribers will be charged a monthly rental of Rs 175 with a talk-time worth Rs 50. A call made by the Idea mobile subscriber to another cellular phone will be charged Rs 2 a minute under the "Buzz 125" offer.

Under the "Buzz 300" offer, the subscriber would be charged Rs 1.20 a minute for calls made to cellular or fixed phones, a company spokesperson told Business Standard.

"We have observed that many people still believe that a post-paid mobile connection is expensive than landline phone. The reality is different. Today a mobile handset costs almost the same as a new limited range cordless phone and offers full mobility and many other features," said Vikram Mehmi, chief executive officer of Idea Cellular Ltd.

"Now with the 'Buzz 300' plan, Idea Cellular offers the unlimited freedom to mobile phone subscribers at the landline rental of Rs 1.20 a minute," Mehmi said.

Idea subscribers could also avail of special cellular to cellular and night tariffs at the rate of Re 1 a minute under the "Buzz 175" plan, he said.

It is, however, an optional package. Subscribers could opt for any of these packages at a nominal monthly rental, he added.

The reduction in rentals would push more customers to opt for mobile phones instead of landline connections. "A mobile connection will allow the subscriber to remain connected even during night and while travelling at no extra cost," said Mehmi.

The company has recently unveiled 'EcoTalk' technology for pre-paid services, which offers lower outgoing rates on longer calls and higher balance. It has also introduced the 'Mobile Top-Up', a flexible "anytime, anywhere" recharge scheme, for its pre-paid customers.

Quoting a recent survey of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), Mehmi claimed that Idea offered the best network performance; voice quality and customer care services in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh among all cellular service providers.

Idea, a three-way-equal joint venture between Tata, Birla and AT&T, with its headquarters in Pune, has presence in 11 circles across the country.