Idea launches its 4G LTE services in Chennai

Today Idea Cellular Limited announced the expansion of its high speed 4G LTE (1800MHz FDD-LTE Band 3) services to across 29 towns of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai. The telecom operator said that within two months, it has expanded its 4G LTE service footprint to 20 districts, including towns such as Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Salem, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Erode, and Tirupur.

Within two months of its launch, the company has expanded its 4G LTE service footprint to 20 districts, including Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Salem, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Erode and Tirupur, covering 30% of the total population of the circle.

“We have already launched the service in South India starting with Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh as planned. Next roll out will be in Maharashtra, Goa and North East by end of March 2016,” said Rajat Mukarji, chief corporate affairs officer, Idea Cellular. The company plans to leave its 4G LTE footprint in 750 towns by June 2016.

In December 2015, Idea Cellular had announced the launch of 4G LTE services in all 4 telecom circles (5 states) of South India, namely Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, and Karnataka. Earlier this month, the company launched services across 4 more circles (5 Indian states) – Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab and Odisha, expanding its 4G LTE service footprint to 8 telecom service areas. Idea Cellular is one of the leading mobile telecom service providers with nearly 6 million satisfied consumers in the circle offering extensive 2G and 3G services in the circle, and has now introduced its high speed 4G LTE services with a large network coverage.

Idea Cellular currently holds 1800 MHz 4G spectrum in 10 Telecom circles which cover 50% of telecom market but contribute to over 60% of Idea’s gross revenue.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer of Idea Cellular, “Idea customers with 4G devices in these 183 towns can now start experiencing superfast speeds by simply upgrading their existing SIM cards to new 4G SIM cards. Idea has also partnered with leading handset manufacturers and e-commerce retailers for special data bundling offers on new 4G smartphones.”