Idea to extend 4G service to 750 cities by June

Thiruvananthapuram: Idea's 4G footprint will cover 750 cities across 10 telecom circles by June this year, a top company official said Wednesday.

Since December last year, Idea has rapidly rolled out its high-speed 4G LTE network to cover seven major markets in the country, the company's Chief Marketing Officer Shashi Shankar told reporters here.

"By March 2016, our services will extend to three more key markets namely, Maharashtra and Goa, North East and Odisha, and by June 2016, Idea's 4G footprint will cover 750 cities across 10 telecom circles," he said.

Idea Cellular currently holds 1800 MHz 4G spectrum in these 10 circles which account for 50 percent of the telecom market but over 60 percent of Idea's gross revenue.

Idea had recently signed an agreement with Videocon Telecommunications Limited for acquiring 'right to use' 1800 MHz spectrum under a spectrum trading agreement in two of its key leadership markets of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (West).

Post completion of this transaction, 4G services will be extended to 12 service areas, covering 75 percent of Idea's revenue base in the country.

The company is also offering subscription plans for digital content, including a wide range of the latest music, movies and games.

Idea has also partnered with leading handset manufacturers and e-commerce retailers for special data bundling offers on new 4G smartphones, he said.

The operator today expanded its 4G services to six more cities in Kerala -- Kollam, Kannur, Kottayam, Palakkad, Tiruvalla and Changanassery -- targetting to cover all 14 districts in the state by March this year.

In December last, Idea's 4G services were launched in Kochi, Malappuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Aluva, Nedumbassery, Karippur, Kottakkal, Tirur, Manjeri and Parappanangadi.