Idea rings in the 'Power of 3G' in Goa

Goans & Tourists can now experience Gold Standard 3G services in Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco and Ponda

• Enjoy Video Conferencing, Video on Demand, Mobile TV, IdeaMall and high-speed Internet
• Easy & Convenient Time based Billing plans for 3G services
• Visit www.ideacellular.com/3g or 3G Experience Kiosks at select Idea stores in Goa

IDEA Cellular, India’s third largest mobile operator and the leader in Maharashtra & Goa announced the launch of its ‘Gold Standard’ 3G services in the hot tourist destination of Goa, today. Idea’s 3G services are now available in 9 circles - MP, Gujarat, HP, UP West, UP East, AP, Kerala and Haryana, besides Maharashtra, and has already enrolled over 1 million users in the first of month of launch.

Idea’s 3G services will be available in Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco and Ponda in Goa. Idea’s 3G services now cover 4 major cities in Maharashtra & Goa, and will progressively grow to cover 400 towns by mid year, and over 750 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.

Local citizens of Goa and domestic and international travelers to this tourist destination can now avail Idea’s 3G services. Travellers coming into Goa can opt for Idea’s prepaid 3G SIMs and/or dongles to connect with the world of faster Internet, Video Conferencing, Mobile TV, Idea Mall Application Store, besides many other infotainment services. Idea has set up ‘Experience Kiosks’ to provide a flavour of the services that customers can opt for. These will be available to all users at select ‘My Idea’ stores in these towns.

On the occasion of 3G launch Mr. Ambrish Jain, Deputy Managing Director, Idea Cellular, said: “We are happy to flag off our Gold Standard 3G services in Goa today. We are targeting areas of industrial and commercial activity, centres of learning, and high potential rural hinterlands where broadband is yet to make a breakthrough, to spread our 3G network. Idea has set up the most extensive customer service network to educate customers on 3G and support their requirements.”

Idea’s national 3G footprint has already covered 400 towns and is progressively growing at the rate of 10 towns per day to cover 750 towns by mid 2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. Currently, 10% of Idea’s subscribers are said to be using 3G enabled handsets. It is expected that these users will be the early adopters of 3G services.

Speaking about the 3G launch in Goa, Mr. Rajendra Chourasia, Chief Operating Officer – Maharashtra & Goa, Idea Cellular, said: “Goa is the most visited tourist destination in India, and hence offers a huge market for 3G services. With the launch of next generation Gold Standard 3G services, locals as well as the visiting tourists can now experience Video Conferencing, IdeaMall Application Store, Mobile TV, Video on Demand, and high-speed Internet Browsing with ease and convenience of use.”

IdeaMall is Idea’s Application Store which offers an entire catalogue of games and applications on Web & Mobile platforms.

Idea’s 3G services will offer the best mobile experience in downloading songs, streaming videos on YouTube, streaming audio, photo updates on Facebook, mail and other online media, movie downloads, watching mobile TV, e-mailing with attachments, blog postings, viewing photos, and Flash & HD Gaming. Idea 3G users will experience speed upto 21 Mbps on 3G handsets, and higher speed on other devices depending on the device capability.

Idea has introduced 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 inside select ‘My Idea’ stores in Goa.