Telecom network operator Idea Cellular today said it plans to add 40,000 – 45,000 sites on 2G, 3G and 4G technology platforms during the current financial year.
It will also complete a cumulative roll out of 111,000 kms of fiber, and add an incremental 175-200 million population to the mobile broadband — 3G and 4G.
Idea Cellular’s Capex guidance is Rs 7,500 crore for fiscal 2016.
Idea Cellular has shared key facts about the availability of 4G LTE services in 29 towns of Tamil Nadu and Chennai.
The Aditya Birla group firm has 4G LTE presence in 20 districts, including Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Salem, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Erode and Tirupur, covering 30 percent of the total population of Tamil Nadu circle.
Idea Cellular will launch 4G LTE services in Coimbatore and Pondicherry shortly.
By March 2016, 4G services will extend to two more markets — Maharashtra & Goa and North East.
By June 2016, Idea’s 4G footprint will cover 750 cities across 10 telecom circles.
Idea Cellular holds 1800 MHz 4G spectrum in 10 telecom circles covering 50 percent of telecom market and contributing over 60 percent of Idea’s gross revenue.
Idea has rolled out its FDD platform enabled 4G services on the 1800 MHz frequency band.
The company possesses the capability to introduce VoLTE feature. Idea will evaluate VoLTE at a later stage.
Idea Cellular is deploying Single RAN equipment. Single RAN equipment provides additional 2G voice capacity on GSM spectrum for every 4G site on 1800 MHz.
Image caption: From Left to Right Sashi Shankar, CMO of Idea Cellular, MD Prasad, COO of Tamil Nadu and Chennai at Idea Cellular, Rajat Mukarji, chief corporate affairs officer of Idea Cellular
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