 "Idea rolls out 4G services in Odisha")
India's third-largest mobile phone operator, Idea Cellular, today rolled out its high-speed 4G LTE services in Odisha, expanding its foot print in eight telecom circles in the country.
"The 4G services launched today covers 12 major towns in Odisha. Of which, in nine towns, the consumers will experience it for the first time," said P Lakshminarayana, chief operating officer (corporate), Idea Cellular.
The telecom provider aims to expand its 4G services to 18 more towns by March 2016. The other major towns to get 4G include Samablpur, Brahmapur, Rourkela and Bhadrak.
Idea, an Aditya Birla Group company, is also gearing to launch 4G LTE services by March 2016 in the remaining two circles, Maharashtra & Goa and North East, in a phased manner.
By June 2016, Idea's 4G footprint will cover 750 cities across 10 telecom circles, which covers 50 per cent of telecom market and over 60 per cent of Idea's gross revenue, he added.
Idea Cellular holds 1800 MHz 4G spectrum in 10 telecom circles.
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Additionally, Idea has recently signed an agreement with Videocon Telecommunications Ltd for acquiring 'Right to Use' 1800 MHz spectrum under 'Spectrum Trading Agreement' in two of its key telecom leadership markets of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (West).
Post completion of this transaction, 4G services will be extended to 12 service areas, covering 75 per cent of Idea's revenue base in the country, the company said.
In Odisha, Idea Cellular has 1.8 million consumers and offers 2G services on 1800 MHz platform in over 13,947 towns and villages.
"We have been the fastest growing operator in Odisha for last two years with 20-21 per cent annual growth rate. We have already crossed five market share and by the end of this financial year we will be crossing six per cent," said Anish Roy, chief operating officer (east), Idea Cellular.
The company has 2,516 2G sites and about 290 4G LTE sites. "By March, we will be having 500 LTE sites. The company has spent Rs 420 crore on its network and bought the 4G spectrum for Odisha at a cost of Rs 168 crore," added Roy.