Idea to foray into five new circles by year-end

Targeting a pan-India presence, Aditya Birla Group today said that its flagship firm Idea Cellular will roll-out operations in five service areas, including West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir by the end of 2009.

According to an investor presentation filed by the conglomerate to the stock exchanges, the group's telecom business has performed well in the third quarter ended December and is eyeing to begin operations in the remaining five service areas.

"Spectrum has been alloted for remaining five service areas, West Bengal, Kolkata, Assam, North East and Jammu & Kashmir.... (We are) targeting roll out operations by the end of calendar year 2009," the group said.

The group further said that 'Spice', which was acquired last year, has been rebranded as 'Idea' in Punjab and Karnataka and Idea is operating in 15 service areas.

The company is also planning to launch its Orissa and Tamil Nadu (including Chennai) services by the first and second quarter of the 2009-10 fiscal, it added.

Idea's quarterly revenue have jumped 60 per cent in the reviewed quarter to Rs 2,728.6 crore as against the year-ago period, supported by the growing subscriber base.

The company ranks second after Airtel, with 19.8 per cent market share in combined subscribers base of eight established service areas reflecting its brand strength.

Further, Spice results since October 16, 2008 have been consolidated at 41.09 per cent as a joint venture with the firm.