Idea slashes 2G data tariffs by 90 per cent

Idea Cellular, the country's third mobile operator, has revised 2G and 3G data tariffs to promote mobile broadband in India. The GSM operator is now offering 2G data at 2 paise per 10 KB, a 90 per cent reduction, across all the 22 circles.

The offer will be effective 15 November 2013, and would be available for six months, the company said in a statement.

With the same tariff available across all its 10 3G circles, Idea Cellular's 3G users would be able to save up to 30 per cent on their monthly data charges. The Aditya Birla group company has 3G operations across Maharashtra & Goa, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Kerala, UP West and East, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

''Idea has consistently focused on growing data penetration across the country through a three pronged approach of enhancing network coverage; strengthening sales and distribution channel; and offering affordable products, services and devices. The reduction in data tariff is aimed at catalysing the data adoption amongst the masses and empowering them with the power of mobile internet at an affordable cost,'' Ambrish Jain, deputy managing director at Idea Cellular, said.

For Idea Cellular, these revised tariffs will not only drive more data usage from existing Idea users but will also attract new users to Idea's growing subscriber portfolio.

In October, Vodafone India has slashed 2G mobile internet charges – for both pre- and post-paid customers on 2G on a 'Pay as you Go' basis - by a massive 80 per cent, effective 1 November.

Post the successful pilot launch in three circles – Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh (West) and Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh - in mid-June, this is the lowest pan India mobile internet charge roll out.

The company, a subsidiary of Britain's Vodafone Group Plc, launched new international roaming packs offering a 95 per cent discount on data charges and up to 78 per cent on voice calls.

The roaming packs, launched on 28 October, came with rentals of Rs599 and Rs1,499 and are launched with a validity of 10 and 30 days, respectively.

Previously, Reliance Communications (RCom) launched an international roaming pack - 'Awesome America' - for its post-paid GSM customers, allowing customers to save 98 per cent on data usage and up to 76 per cent on voice calls while travelling to America.

The pack is available for Rs849 for 30 days. Data charges have been slashed considerably and Reliance customers who opt for the 'Awesome America' Pack will pay just Rs10 for 1 MB of data usage while roaming in the US