Idea achieves footprint of 2.6 lakh cell sites across the country; 50 pct on broadband network

Telecom operator Idea Cellular has achieved a major milestone in its network growth journey.

The company has rapidly expanded network to 260,000 sites across the country with 50 percent sites dedicated to mobile broadband services, establishing it as 'India's Big 4G network'.

Idea added nearly 50,000 broadband sites over the last 12 months period ending August '17, growing its broadband footprint to cover 5,888 Census towns and nearly 105,755 villages, reaching out to 45 percent population of the country. It has set up an optical fibre network of approx. 150,000 route kms to strengthen its wireless broadband services. Idea plans to continue the rapid rollout of its pan-India wireless broadband network throughout FY18 with a capex of Rs. 6,000 crore.

"Achieving a footprint of 2.6 lakh sites is a major milestone in Idea's network growth journey - 50 percent of these sites are broadband. With aggressive capex infusion one lakh sites have been erected by Idea in the last two years, and we will continue to invest in expanding our wireless broadband capacity to enable the company's Digital Idea plans," said chief technology officer Idea Cellular, Anil Tandan.

Idea's pan-India wireless broadband network gives it a strong foundation to build and grow Digital Idea offerings for its nearly 200 million customers. The company offers a bouquet of digital entertainment content services through its three apps - Idea Music Lounge, Idea Movie Club and Idea Game Spark.

"The Indian telecom sector is fast transitioning from being a vehicle for delivering only connectivity to becoming the bedrock and foundation of high speed broadband. This will enable faster internet adoption amongst Indians and drive growth for the critical sectors of the economy. Idea is fast transitioning from being a pure telecom services provider to an 'integrated digital services provider' to deliver on the Digital India mission," said deputy managing director Idea Cellular, Ambrish Jain.

Idea's 4G coverage has penetrated into the deep interiors of the country with villages having a population of 1,000 getting connected with 'India's Big 4G network'. Idea has also recorded 4G coverage in certain rural parts of the country where population is below 100 people.