Idea Cellular has launched its 4G services in Mumbai on 2100 MHz spectrum band. Idea has a subscriber base of 4.4 million and revenue market share of 10.2% in Mumbai.
At launch, Idea in Mumbai has already upgraded nearly 1,600 of its existing 3,500 telecom sites with 4G services, and work is in progress at a fast pace to upgrade an additional 1,000 sites by end of the monsoon period.
Mobile telephony subscribers in Mumbai, from today, will be able to experience high-speed Idea 4G services up to 34 Mbps. To facilitate a seamless adoption of its latest 4G services, Idea is pleased to make an initial 90-days ‘Invitation offer’ to all its 4.4 million mobile users and new customers joining the company during the same period, as and when they upgrade to a 4G device and a 4G SIM.
1. Exclusive Invitation Offer
All 4.4 million existing Idea customers, both on Prepaid & Postpaid services and new customers who join during the offer period will get 10 GB 4G free promotional data which can be used to experience Idea’s latest 4G services in Mumbai. This is a special invitation offer for 90 days starting from 25th May 2017 to 22nd August 2017, and can be used only with a 4G handset and 4G SIM on Idea’s 4G network.
For those who have 4G handset and have not upgraded to 4G SIM, Idea sales and service teams would be assisting the customers through a network of nearly 140 Idea showrooms and 25,000 retail outlets. Additionally, the customers upgrading to 4G SIM will get an incremental 4GB 4G data for 14 days. Both these trial offers will be available concurrently.
2.Prepaid customers – Tariffs & Promotions
New Customers – In addition to the above exclusive 4G Invitation offers, new customers joining Idea in this 90-day promotion period with 4G handsets can now recharge with Rs. 395 and enjoy unlimited local and national calling, bundled free with daily data of 1GB 4G/2G for a duration of 84 days (for all activations within the promotional period from 25th May 17 to 22nd August 17).
For customers preferring lower price point, Idea has introduced an Unlimited Combo Offer at a promotional rate of Rs. 192 – Unlimited local calling product (within Mumbai & Maharashtra service area) with 1GB (4G/2G) data for 28 days.
Existing Idea Customers – Similar exciting promotions are being made available for existing customers on special recharge points of Rs. 396 and Rs. 196.
The company also has other packs with unlimited propositions. These packs provide the customers with unlimited voice calls to anywhere in India along with free data benefits.
Upon recharging with Rs. 148, Idea prepaid customers will be able to make free Idea-to-Idea (on-net) calls across India, and 4G handset customers will get 300 MB Data.
Another super value pack priced at Rs. 348 offers free voice across all networks in India and customers with 4G handsets will get 1GB/day mobile data services on 4G/2G platform valid for 28 days.
Idea exclusive offers are not limited only to high/mid-end customers. They are also available to customers who want to purchase a lower denomination product. Idea is introducing first-of-its-kind Magic Recharge Products in Mumbai.
Validity Magic product priced at Rs. 63 where prepaid subscribers get confirmed 1 GB 4G/2G data with validity ranging from 2 -28 days.
Data Magic product is priced at Rs. 152 where customers get confirmed validity of 28 days with data volume ranging from 1GB – 10 GB (on 4G/2G platform only).
For all mobility Voice customers, the company is also introducing for the first time a Full talktime and tariff combo product at Rs. 147 offering Rs. 147 of talktime and special tariff of 1.2p/2sec of rate with a validity of 28 days.
Offer for postpaid customers: Both the special 4G invitation offer and 4G SIM upgrade promotions are also available to postpaid customers. In addition to this, Idea is launching a range of first-of-its-kind ‘Ultimate Plans’ at a rental of Rs. 349/499/649 which provide unlimited free calling and daily 1GB of 4G/2G data along with a bouquet of services like free outgoing roaming (Rs. 649 offer) and free SMS bundled (Rs. 499 and Rs. 649) with these plans. As an inaugural offer, all new customers joining Idea will get a special rental discount of Rs. 50/- for 6 billing cycles on the above exclusive postpaid Ultimate plans.
According to Pamesh Gupta, Circle Head – Mumbai, Idea Cellular, “It is a historic moment for Idea in Mumbai. The company is upgrading most of its 2G network to high speed 4G LTE services and allow Mumbaikars to experience world-class mobile broadband services. We are happy to invite all our 4.4 million Idea customers to experience our latest 4G services and join the digital revolution.”
With the launch of 4G LTE services in Mumbai, Idea declares Pan-India mobile broadband operations. In shortest possible time, Idea mobile broadband services are now available to:
•Over 525 million Indians covering near 6,000 towns and 100,000 villages on 3G and 4G network pan India
•On 4G, Idea is now available in 20 circles excluding Kolkata and Delhi covering 350 million Indians across nearly 50,000 towns and villages
With the additional capex guidance for FY18 at Rs. 6,000 crores, on a back of Rs. 7,800 crores expenditure on capital equipment in FY16-17, Idea remains committed to rapidly expand its mobile broadband services across length and breadth of the country.
According to Rajat Mukarji, Chief Corporate Affairs, Idea Cellular, “Idea, over the years has established itself as a strong telecom operator for mobile voice services available nearly to 1 billion Indians spread over 400,000 towns and villages. The company with the focused last 18 months investment in wireless broadband services is emerging to become a key mobile data player with its Pan-India presence, offering high-speed internet access to over 525 million Indians spread across nearly 6,000 towns and 100,000 villages on 3G & 4G network. We are confident that the near 200 million Idea subscriber base will soon join the digital era as our fellow citizen participate in the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Digital India Vision .”
During this year, Idea is scheduled to expand its 2G, 3G and 4G services to over 300,000 sites on 2G (GSM), 3G (HSPA) or 4G (LTE) services continuing the growth momentum. The company is transforming itself from being a pure mobility voice player to a strong mobile broadband operator, and the introduction of its digital services is a step in that direction. Out of a current base of nearly 200 million customers, 25 million are presently enjoying Idea wireless broadband services.
Speaking about the 4G services, Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular said, “The launch of 4G in Mumbai completes Brand Idea’s mobile broadband presence. Idea has always taken pride in transforming people’s lives, and with the company evolving to be a strong wireless broadband player, we will continue to transform and delight the consumers in their digital journey.”
