Idea rolls out 3G services in Haryana, West UP, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Tuesday, 05 April 2011 13:57
- Written by MobiGyaan Team
Idea Cellular has launched its 3G service at fast pace. Covering various parts of the country, they will be providing high-end data services such as Video Conferencing, IdeaMall Application Store, Mobile TV, Video on Demand, and high-speed Internet Browsing. Idea has also started its app store called the IdeaMall, which will offer an entire catalogue of games and applications on Web & Mobile platforms. Idea has also introduced Time based Billing plan for 3G services enabling users to avail high-end data services without worrying about the volume of usage. To promote usage, Idea has introduced ‘sachet’ pricing offering attractive trial packages with per day billing.
Idea 3G is now available in Haryana which include the major cities like Ambala, Hissar, Rewari, Rohtak, Panipat, Bhiwani, Jhajjar and Hansi. It is expected to grow and cover 24 towns by April 2011 and over 230 towns by the end of financial year of 2012.
The services have also spread to West Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand covering Agra, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, Saharanpur, Kashipur, Dehradun, Haridwar and Rudrapur. Starting with 9 towns in UP West and Uttarakhand, Idea’s 3G services will grow and cover 140 towns by midyear and 310 towns by the end of financial year of 2012.
People of Maharashtra will also enjoy the 3G services of Idea as they have launched the service in Pune, Nasik and Nagpur, and is expected to cover 400 towns by midyear, and over 750 towns by the end of financial year of 2012.
Idea is planning to cover 200 towns by mid April ‘11, which is about 10 towns per day to cover 750 towns by mid 2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of financial year of 2012. Currently only 10% of Idea’s over 86 million subscribers are said to be using 3G enabled handsets and it is expected that these users will be the early adopters of 3G services.
For tariff details, click here.
Idea 3G Tariff Plans
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Tuesday, 29 March 2011 13:23
- Written by MobiGyaan Team
Idea has also stepped in the 3G game now. After winning 11 circles in the country, Idea has started rolling out its 3G services. The tariffs for Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have been released on Idea’s website. The plans include various packages which include time based plans, usage based plans, dongle tariffs, etc.
The various plans for Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are as follows:
Sachet Based Plans
- Applicable only for prepaid
- Short Validity Products
- Less Upfront commitment
- Best Suited as Trial Packs
Usage Based Plans
- 30 day validity
- Applicable for prepaid and postpaid
- Easy and simple
- For all types of users
Time Based Plans
- Applicable for prepaid and postpaid
- Easy to Understand
- Best suited for Downloads/Uploads
Date Rate Cutter Plans
- Applicable for prepaid and postpaid
- Best Suited for Heavy Users
Dongle Plans
- Applicable for prepaid and postpaid
PS : Tariffs may vary slightly in different telecom circles.
Idea begins 3G roll out, launches 3G Mobile Services in MP & Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Monday, 28 March 2011 15:06
- Written by Puneet Jain
Idea Cellular today announced the launch of 3G services on its network in MP & Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh today. Idea won 2.1 GHz (3G Spectrum) in 11 circles – MP & Chattisgarh, HP, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Haryana, UP East, UP West, AP, J&K and Punjab – which contribute over 80% of the company’s revenues. Idea’s 3G services will be available in 200 towns by mid April ‘11, progressively growing at the rate of 10 towns per day to cover 750 towns by mid 2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. Idea has traditionally focused on growth from semi-urban heartlands of India and will continue to drive its 3G services from these industrial, agricultural and educational regions.
To anchor the occasion, Idea unveiled a new 3G logo. The new branding will be implemented throughout India, across all customer touch points. Idea has set up ‘Experience Kiosks’ to provide a flavour of the services that customers can opt for. These will be available to all users at select ‘My Idea’ stores.
On the occasion of the 3G launch, Mr. Himanshu Kapania, Deputy Managing Director, Idea Cellular said: “3G services will mark the beginning of the next phase of India’s telecom growth story and bring the sector on par with the most advanced telecom markets in the world. Beginning today, Idea subscribers will be the first in India to experience the Gold Standard in 3G services.” Currently, 10% of Idea’s over 86 million subscribers are said to be using 3G enabled handsets. It is expected that these users will be the early adopters of 3G services.
Speaking about the 3G network rollout, Mr. Ambrish Jain, Director – Operations, Idea Cellular, said: “Beginning with MP, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and HP, Idea’s 3G services will expand in a progressive manner to provide expansive coverage across 4,000 towns by year end. Idea will target areas of industrial and commercial activity, centres of learning, and high potential rural hinterlands where broadband is yet to make a breakthrough. Idea has set up the most extensive customer service network to educate customers on 3G and support their requirements, across the country.”
Idea’s 3G services will enable users to avail Video Conferencing, IdeaMall Application Store, Mobile TV, Video on Demand, and high-speed Internet Browsing. IdeaMall is Idea’s Application Store which offers an entire catalogue of games and applications on Web & Mobile platforms. Idea claims that its 3G users will experience speed upto 21 Mbps on 3G handsets, and higher speed on other devices depending on the device capability.
Interestingly in its Press Statement Idea Cellular indicated that the company is in process of finalising long-term arrangements with select quality operators for service areas where Idea was not awarded 3G spectrum. Together, these will enable Idea subscribers, throughout the country, to enjoy the Gold Standard in 3G services.
Idea and Axis Bank provide financial solutions through mobiles
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Friday, 18 March 2011 11:00
- Written by MobiGyaan Team
Idea cellular and Axis bank have taken the initiative and launched “Idea MyCash” which is a facility intended at providing basic banking services including money transfer, using the mobile platform. It includes mobile based financial services providing basic banking services like cash deposit, cash withdrawal and balance enquiry and will also enable money transfer between the migrant population in urban areas to their beneficiaries back home. The remittance facility is being offered in the Dharavi , Allahabad remittance corridor to begin with and will be extended to other remittance corridors subsequently. This will be the first Financial Inclusion initiative in the country available through cell phones. Idea Cellular and Axis bank had signed a MoU to come together for the Financial Inclusion where Idea is to act as the business correspondent of Axis Bank and distribute the complete range of financial products and services offered by the Bank to the un-banked and under banked population segment.
“Idea has demonstrated the capability to reach out and connect the remote corners of the country and enable the economic and social development of the weaker sections of society. Idea MyCash, in association with Axis Bank, will ride on our deep rooted network to make banking services accessible to millions of Indians and include them in the economic development through financial inclusion, “said Mr. Sanjeev Aga, Managing Director, Idea Cellular.
Ms. Shikha Sharma, MD & CEO, Axis Bank, speaking at the launch said, “Axis Bank in association with IDEA Cellular is offering a branchless banking solution that provides the elements of security, access and convenience in a cost effective manner. This association in a larger context enables the Bank to undertake financial inclusion by providing a host of financial inclusion products and services through the IDEA mobile platform and offered through select IDEA retail outlets.
The remitter being an Axis Bank customer having a No Frills Savings account can initiate a remittance through Axis bank ATMs or through the internet. An account holder having an Idea connection can also initiate a remittance through a mobile banking platform. Being the business correspondent, Idea would facilitate the opening of the No Frills Savings Account. The beneficiary who is an Idea subscriber does a onetime Account opening activity at an Idea Retail outlet through submission of KYC documents, which subsequently get verified by the nodal Axis Bank Branch. An interactive mobile banking platform has been developed for both the remitter and beneficiary side to provide an easy mechanism for the remitter to initiate the remittance through Idea mobile and for the beneficiary to interact with the Idea M-Commerce platform for facilitating cash out at the Idea retailer.
Idea Unites 6 World Cup Champions to Keep Cricket Clean
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Wednesday, 23 February 2011 18:57
- Written by Surbhi Chawla
Idea Cellular is all set to get on the cricket bandwagon as it comes out with its new campaign ‘Keep Cricket Clean’. As a part of this campaign Idea will be airing a series of Television advertisements featuring 6 World Champions - Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Imran Khan, Arjuna Ranatunga and Steve Waugh – who will talk candidly about innovative ways to ‘Keep Cricket Clean’. Along with this Idea will also give a chance to Cricket enthusiasts all across the country to connect with these Cricket legends and be a part of this campaign.
According to Anupama Ahluwalia, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Idea Cellular, “Cricket is a passion in India and fans like to enjoy the sport in its utmost purity and true spirit. With the new campaign, Idea will spread the message of ‘Keep Cricket Clean’ to build a strong connect with millions of Cricket fans across the country, during this Cricket season”.
Idea Cellular slapped with a Rs.300 Crore fine
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Wednesday, 23 February 2011 14:43
- Written by Surbhi Chawla
Idea Cellular may have to pay a fine of Rs. 300 crores for owning double licenses in six circles post the acquisition of Spice in 2008. Apart from this, Additional Solicitor General of India Amarjit Singh Chandhiok in his legal opinion has also suggested that the 12 licences (of Idea Cellular and Spice Telecom) be terminated as the merger has violated the lock-in period clause.Idea Celluar, which is a part of the Aditya Birla group has denied breach of any licence condition and further added that it has written 20 letters to the Department of Telecom (DoT) over the past 30 months but failed to get any response from the government. The company also claims to have paid Rs 843 crore for overlapping business.
Idea in a statement said, "The court merger was consummated with the full knowledge and support of the DoT, over a year ago. For reasons incomprehensible, the DoT has so far not issued merger letter in consonance with the court-approved merger."
"The Idea-Spice merger, since approved by the courts, happened to involve six overlapping licenses. Despite being issued spectrum for five of these, it is Idea which advised the DoT that it was not using such spectrum, in effect, placing overlapping licences in a de facto escrow, pending receipt of the DoT’s formal letter of merger, including surrender if at all that was attracted," it said.
It’s noteworthy, that Idea Cellular holds 3G licenses in four of these six circles that have come under the scanner and the ASG is of the opinion that DoT should withdraw the 3G spectrum for these circles since the licence itself is being cancelled.
Source
3rd Season of ‘Mobile Roadie Hunt@Idea’ Vrooms off
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Friday, 18 February 2011 14:39
- Written by Puneet Jain
The Mobile Roadie Hunt@Idea is back! ‘Mobile Roadie Hunt@Idea’ is now open on www.mobileroadiehunt.com for over 84 million Idea subscribers. Idea claims that this time it is bigger, better and different. Popular VJ’s and brothers Raghu and Rajeev are the show anchors who will interrogate the users through their Facebook friends, in their own inimitable Roadies lingo. The duo will check out ‘the social status’ of Roadie aspirants and give their expert analysis on the contestant’s friends on the network.
The moment the user logs on to www.mobileroadiehunt.com, the person’s Facebook information (count of friends, profile picture etc.) will be visible on the background of the microsite. The brothers will then go a step further by picking up friends of the users who are logged-in from their Facebook accounts to analyze and pass comments on each of them and the contestant’s social status. The users will also get to upload content in the form of videos etc. for their friends and Raghu and Rajeev to comment on.
The winner of Mobile Roadie Hunt@Idea will get direct entry into Roadies Battleground 9 on MTV, and also win a brand new Karizma bike. To register, users need to subscribe to an Idea VAS pack of Rs. 49.
Idea Mobile Roadie has been an Award winning Digital property for the last two seasons. It won the ‘Best Mobile Innovation’ (Bronze) at Ad Club of Mumbai’09; ‘Best Direct Marketing’ (Bronze) at Ad Club of Mumbai’09; ‘Best Digital Media Innovation’ (Bronze) at EMVIES’09; ‘Best Website – B2C’ (Silver) at Digital Media Awards’10; and ‘Best Technology in Telecom’ (Bronze) at Digital Media Awards’10.
Idea (Kolkata & WB) launches ISD 'Power Vouchers', now Call Bangladesh at Rs.1.99
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Friday, 28 January 2011 13:41
- Written by Puneet Jain
IDEA Cellular has launched special Power Vouchers offering discounted ISD rates for Bangladeshi Nationals traveling to Kolkata. Idea’s Power Voucher 12 allows subscribers to make outgoing calls to Bangladesh at just Rs. 1.99 per minute. It is priced at Rs. 12 and comes with a validity of 7 days. Another Power Voucher priced at Rs. 36 offers ISD call rate of Rs. 1.99 per minute and comes with a validity of 30 days from the day of activation.The offer is also available for other Idea subscribers based in Kolkata & West Bengal who make frequent calls to Bangladesh.
Idea has tied up with the largest transport company operating between Kolkata and Bangladesh for distribution of leaflets carrying all the emergency and utility numbers along with provision of Idea SIM cards and Recharge Coupons in the buses plying at the Indo – Bangla border.
Idea launches MNP helpline for mobile users across the country
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Monday, 17 January 2011 14:52
- Written by Puneet Jain
Idea Cellular, the first mobile operator to announce the upcoming Mobile Number Portability (MNP) recently has now launched a Toll Free Number 1800-270-0000 to guide mobile subscribers on various aspects and procedures of number portability, prior to the national launch of the service on January 20th, 2011.
MNP entitles a mobile subscriber to switch from the existing cellular service provider to any other operator, while retaining the mobile number. The service will be launched across the country on January 20th, 2011.
Idea’s new Toll Free Number 1800-270-0000 is being promoted through a Television ad launched recently, besides other media platforms. The dedicated helpline will offer all relevant information on the processes and procedures of availing MNP and porting requests from mobile subscribers who wish to Switch to Idea.
Speaking on the new initiative, Ms. Anupama Ahluwalia, Senior Vice President – Marketing, IDEA Cellular said, “MNP will empower the 700 million mobile consumers in India to exercise choice. Idea has taken the responsibility of making consumers aware about various aspects of MNP. We realise that mobile users are awaiting MNP to switch to a network which offers seamless connectivity across the length and breadth of the country, superior customer service, and affordable and relevant products and services. The Idea MNP Helpline will offer all such information about Idea, and help consumers take informed decisions.”
Mobile users across all 22 circles can call up the Toll Free Number 1800-270-0000 and register their requests for porting on the Idea network. Idea has also launched a microsite www.getidea.co.in – an information portal for MNP for the digital users.
Idea revamps GPRS packs in Tamil Nadu
- Category: Idea Cellular
- Thursday, 06 January 2011 15:19
- Written by Krishna Murari
Idea has finally thrown some light on the prepaid users in the Tamil Nadu and Chennai circles. With an e-Recharge of Rs.98, Unlimited data usage upto 100MB/day for 30 days is provided along with a credit of Rs.20 to your main account balance. Smaller packs for lighter users have been launched now, with a daily pack as well. At 5Rs, 100MB/day of Data usage is given automatically to the users, which auto-renews until deactivated.With an e-Recharge of Rs.15, Data usage of upto 50MB is provided for 3 days while the fortnightly plan has been cancelled.
Along with these Data plans, a new SMS pack at Rs.35 has been launched which provides 500 Local and National texts per day.
