Idea Cellular slashes 2G data rates by 90 percent in 8 circles

Idea Cellular slashed its data tariff by 90 percent across eight circles for the 2G data plan users and the new tariff will be applicable from July 1, the company said Thursday.

It said the users can now access data for just 2 paise per 10 kilobytes, which is a 90 percent reduction in the existing tariff of 2 paise per kilobytes. Idea users in the eight circles of Tamil Nadu & Chennai, Karnataka, Kolkata, West Bengal, Assam, North East, Bihar, and Odisha will benefit from the revised data tariff on both, prepaid and postpaid 2G plans.

"Idea has continuously focused at growing data penetration in tier II & III markets. These eight circles comprise of one-third of the total mobile users in India, with a large number of users waiting to board the mobile broadband wagon. Availability of data at such affordable rates will usher in a new wave of mobile data growth in the country," Ambrish Jain, deputy managing director, Idea Cellular said.

The company said the new data rate will be automatically implemented for all Idea 2G postpaid subscribers in these markets, from July 1. Idea prepaid users can avail the new rates with a nominal value recharge priced between Rs.5-10 and will be applicable for a period of 90 days from the date of activation.

Idea is the third telecom service provider to cut data rates after Vodafone and Airtel.