Telecom Lead India: Idea Cellular has revised 2G data tariff in eight circles across the country. Idea users can now access data for just 2 paise /10 KB which is a 90 percent reduction in the existing tariff of 2 paise/KB.
Idea’s 2G tariff cut follows similar announcement from Vodafone and Bharti Airtel yesterday.
Bharti Airtel has slashed mobile Internet rate by 90 percent whereas Vodafone reduced mobile Internet charges by 80 percent in circles such as Karnataka, UP West and Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh. Airtel launched its new tariffs in Punjab and Haryana.
Telecom Lead had reported that Idea Cellular might also follow Airtel and Vodafone in tariff cut. The 2G tariff cut comes at a time when 3G services of Bharti Airtel and Vodafone face uncertain future due to their controversial roaming agreement. Idea Cellular is also part of the roaming agreement.
Idea’s new data tariff will be applicable starting July 1st, 2013 and the offer will be valid for 90 days.
Idea users in the eight circles of – Tamil Nadu & Chennai, Karnataka, Kolkata, West Bengal, Assam, North East, Bihar, and Orissa – will benefit from the revised data tariff on both, prepaid and postpaid 2G plans, the company said.
Ambrish Jain, deputy managing director, Idea Cellular said, “Idea has continuously focused at growing data penetration in Tier 2 & 3 markets. These 8 circles comprise of 1/3rd of the total mobile users in India, with a large number of users waiting to board the mobile broadband wagon. Availability of data at such affordable rates will usher in a new wave of mobile data growth in the country.”
The revised tariff is applicable for all 2G data users who use on pay-as-you-go basis, and also on overage on the regular data packs. The new data rate will be automatically implemented for all Idea 2G postpaid subscribers in these markets, effective July 1st.
Idea prepaid users can avail the new rate with a nominal value recharge priced between Rs. 5-10, and will be applicable for a period of 90 days from the date of activation, the company said.
The rate cut is also expected from other major service providers like Aircel, Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices.
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