Idea launches 4G in South India, expansion in North by June

Idea Cellular today launched its 4G services across 75 towns in five southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
"The launch of Idea 4G LTE services will further expand Idea's Wireless Broadband network and propel the brand to an even higher growth trajectory, consolidating its market position," Idea Cellular Managing Director Himanshu Kapania said in a statement.
Major towns covered under 4G launch include Kochi, Hosur, Kadapa, Malapuram, Madurai, Mysore, Rajahmundry, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam.
The service will be expanded to Belgaum, Calicut, Cuddalore, Chitradurga, Guntur, Kakinada, Kancheepuram and Trichur by December 31.
The company has plans to launch 4G mobile services in other key markets of Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra & Goa, Punjab, Haryana, North East and Orissa, in a phased manner by March 2016.

"By June 2016, Idea's 4G footprint will cover 750 cities across 10 telecom circles," the statement said.

Idea has also partnered with Intex Technologies, Lava, Lenovo and Xolo to offer bundled 4G data plans on smartphones and and e-commerce retailer Snapdeal for special data bundling offers on new 4G smartphones.
Idea plans to expand 4G services in all Southern India metros and large towns including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Mangalore and Coimbatore by March 2016.
For this financial year, Idea Cellular's capex guidance is of Rs 6,500 crore. The company has plans to add 40,000 - 45,000 sites on 2G, 3G and 4G technology platforms, complete a cumulative roll out of 111,000 kilometers of fibre, and add an incremental 175-200 million population to the mobile broadband (3G & 4G) population coverage.

"The roll out of Idea's 4G services will be financed through internal accruals," the statement said.