Idea gets 1 Million 3G users within one month of launch

Becomes fastest growing 3G network with coverage now in over 400 towns within a month

Idea Cellular, the 3rd largest mobile operator has enrolled One Million 3G users within the first month of launch in India. Starting with 3G network in 9 cities in March ’11 end, Idea now covers over 400 towns across the country.

One Million Idea users are now enjoying superior quality Voice, Text & Data Services including High Speed Internet browsing upto 21.1 Mbps, Video Calling, Mobile TV, Idea Application Mall, Multi player gaming & many more applications on the 3G platform.

Announcing the new milestone, Mr. Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular said, “3G services will attend to the high speed digital needs of our consumers, creating opportunities for education, employment, engagement and entertainment, thus empowering consumers and positively impacting their lifestyles. Idea is focused on bringing this transformation in the telecommunication space, and we are happy to become the fastest growing 3G network, with a growth rate of more than 10 towns per day covering 1 Million 3G users in the first month.”

Idea’s 3G services cover 400 towns in 9 circles extending from Major Urban Markets, Tier 1&2 cities and finally reaching out to the deep hinterlands. The company is committed to launch 10 new towns per day for the next 365 days to extend the experience to 50% of the existing subscriber base with the latest 3G Services. Idea’s 3G services will progressively grow to cover 750 towns by mid 2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. Idea has traditionally focused on growth from semi-urban heartlands of India and will continue to drive its 3G services from these industrial, agricultural and educational regions.

Commenting on the initial experience, Mr. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular said, “Early trends indicate high uptake of Wireless Broadband data by existing 3G Handheld users. Data usage by Idea’s 3G users is already at 20% of the total Mobile Data usage recorded by the company, in the first month of launch, and this is expected to grow exponentially with the proliferation of services.”

Idea Cellular launched its 3G Services on 28th March, 2011 in 3 circles - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh – and since then has been progressively launching 3G services in 6 other circles of UP East, UP West, Maharashtra & Goa, Kerala, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Idea is the first operator in India to introduce Time based Billing plan for 3G services enabling users to avail high-end data services without worrying about the volume of usage. To promote usage, Idea has introduced ‘sachet’ pricing offering attractive trial packages with per day billing.

To know more about Idea’s 3G services, and to check handset compatibility, customers can log onto www.ideacellular.com/3g or SMS 3G to Toll Free No. 54777. To feel the difference personally, mobile users can experience 3G services at special ‘Experience Kiosks’ set up at select 13 ‘My Idea’ stores.