Idea launches 3G services in UP

Eyeing Rs 1,000-cr revenue in circle

Private GSM operator Idea Cellular today launched its third generation (3G) services in Uttar Pradesh (East) circle even as it is eyeing Rs 1,000 crore in revenues, up from Rs 769 crore last fiscal.

In the first phase, 3G services have been launched in six towns — Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Jhansi, Sitapur and Azamgarh.

UP (East) is one of the largest telecom circles in India with roughly 60 million subscribers. Idea had already launched 3G in UP (West).

“By March 2012, a total of 87 towns in UP (East) would be covered under 3G network,” Idea COO (national enterprise business) Lakshminarayana said at a conference call here.

Idea is the 4th telecom operator to launch 3G services in the circle after Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Aircel and Vodafone.

Idea has a subscriber base of about 5.2 million in UP (East) and is currently 3rd largest operator here as per revenue market share.

“Our subscriber base in 2010-11 grew 40 per cent over the previous year and we have 11 per cent market share in terms of revenue,” UP (East) COO Rajesh Naik said.

Apart from Rs 400 crore for 3G licence, the company has invested Rs 150 crore in creating the infrastructure for the 3G rollout in UP (East) and about Rs 60 crore more would be invested in near future.

Against 2G, which basically supports voice service, 3G is hi-speed mobile broadband suited for faster data transfers, including video calling, high definition gaming and faster internet providing speeds of up to 21.1 mbps. However, the speed also depends upon the handset and cell site traffic at that point of time.