Idea launches two new 3G handsets, taking total to 15

India's third-largest telecom operator Idea Cellular has launched two new 3G handsets, increasing its total portfolio of 3G smartphones to 15.

The GSM operator has launched Idea Ultra II, a 14-cm (5.5'') screen category 3G handset and Idea !d 1000, an entry-level smartphone.

''Lack of availability of affordable 3G smartphones with high-end features is the deterrent to mobile data growth in India. Idea has tried to bridge this gap by offering the best value-for-money 3G devices, in addition to our superior 3G products, services, and network coverage,'' Sashi Shankar, CMO at Idea Cellular said.

''We have witnessed consistent growth in data uptake in our 3G markets where Idea branded 3G smartphones have been selling for the past two years. This has encouraged us to further expand our devices portfolio with the launch of our first 14.0 cm (5.5'') 3G smartphone, Ultra II, and the entry-level !d 1000, which will help us target consumers at both ends of the spectrum,'' he added.

Idea Ultra II is a premium segment 3G smartphone targeted at young professionals and students. The handset has a large screen (14 cm) for a better video and gaming experience, an 8 MP rear camera and 2 MP front camera with LED flash, and video-conferencing facility.

The dual-SIM smartphone is powered  by a 1.3 Quad Core Processor and runs on Android Jelly Bean 4.2 which permits internet browsing, e-mail updates, games, social networking, and smart applications and widgets.

The handset comes with a powerful 2500 mAh battery and a fast processor offering download speeds of up to 21 Mbps. The phone is available in Idea's major 3G markets - Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra & Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Haryana, UP West, and UP East.

The handset is priced at Rs12,500.

Additionally, for the first-time data consumers, Idea has also launched an 1 GHz dual core entry-level 3G smartphone Idea !d 1000. The handset is being shipped with Android Jellybean 4.2 OS, featuring a 8.89 cm (3.5'') screen and is powered by a 1 GHz dual core processor.

This compact smartphone also has built in social networking applications, while the dual-SIM Idea !d 1000 carries a 2MP camera and an internal memory of 4GB, expandable to 32 GB.

Priced at Rs 5,400, this smartphone will be available across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra & Goa, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, UP West and UP East.

Idea Cellular has more than130 million subscribers and with traffic in excess of 1.75 billion minutes a day, it ranks among the top 10 country operators in the world.