Idea Launches 3G services in Delhi on 900 MHz spectrum

Idea Cellular, India's third largest mobile operator by subscribers, has launched 3G services on 900 MHz spectrum band in Delhi circle extending its 3G network to 12 circles in the country. Idea had won spectrum in 900 MHz band in February 2014.

This is the Aditya Birla Group company's first 3G network in a metro circle in India. The company has through its intra-circle roaming agreements provides 3G circles across the country, except Orissa.

''With the 3G launch in Delhi, Idea has not only expanded its 3G footprint to 12 circles across the country, but has also become the only mobile operator to have seamless 3G network across the entire length and breadth of Northern India. Innovation and efficiency in operations are the key drivers to Idea's fast-paced growth in the Indian telephony market, and the launch of 3G on 900 MHz spectrum band in Delhi is a testimony to this,'' Ambrish Jain, deputy managing director, Idea Cellular said.

The 900 MHz spectrum band is considered superior for transmission and propagation and this will allow Idea 3G subscribers in Delhi to experience better indoor connectivity for both voice and high-speed data services.

Idea users will now have a better experience while accessing services like video telephony, mobile TV, video on demand, music downloads, online gaming, amongst many others. Idea's 3G network infrastructure in Delhi circle will also enable the company to offer superior customer service delivery.

''Idea has nearly 6 million subscribers in Delhi with about 30 per cent being data users. The existing 3G users will experience enhanced services and products and offerings while the new subscribers will benefit from our affordable 3G tariffs and superior network,'' said Sanjeev Govil, Chief Operating Officer–Delhi.

Idea's network in Delhi region comprises over 4,700 sites on 2G and over 5,000 hops on microwave. The network is being modernised along with the addition of 3G sites, to cater to the future demand of mobile data services in the metro circle.

Idea is also in the process of setting up service centres in the Delhi NCR region.