Telecom Lead India: The recent up to 70 percent cut in 3G
tariff has started assisting mobile operators to expand their 3G user base in
India.
On Friday, Idea Cellular said it expects the number of 3G
users to triple by the end of March, after it reduced its 3G Internet browsing
prices by up to 70 percent last month.
The significant price reduction is likely to increase the
adoption of 3G network services, according to Sashi Shankar, marketing chief of
Idea Cellular.
Idea Cellular, India’s fourth-largest mobile-services
operator by users, had 2.9 million 3G subscribers at the end of May.
India’s telecom firms have been focusing on increasing
the usage of 3G data services to boost their revenue amid stagnation in demand
for voice services.
In November 2011, Idea Cellular launched a range of
Android-powered smartphones to boost growth of 3G services. It expects to sell
in the next three months 100,000 units of its new dual-SIM smartphones launched
Friday, Dowjones.com reported.
Besides Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel, Reliance
Communications, Vodafone, Aircel, BSNL and MTNL are aggressively pushing for 3G
data growth. Most of these operators are looking for data revenue to contribute
at least 20-40 percent to total service revenue.
Idea Cellular is aiming substantial 3G growth at a time
when the mobile operator decided to cut its telecom capex.
Idea Cellular lowers telecom Capex plan by 17.8 percent for
2012-13
Idea Cellular has lowered its Capex plan by 17.8 percent
for FY 2012-13. Idea Cellular will reduce its FY 2012-13 Capex to Rs
3500 crore from Rs 4,250 crore in the previous fiscal.
Idea rolled out 2,553 2G cell sites during Q4, taking EoP
2G cell sites count to 83,190, while count of 3G cell sites (Node B) increased
to 12,825 compared to 10,902 in Q3 FY12.
Reliance Communications claims 2.8 million active 3G users,
highest in India
Reliance Communications – the second largest mobile
operator in India based on users – claims 2.8 million active 3G users, the
highest in India.
Idea Cellular has announced new 3G data plans for its prepaid
and postpaid mobile customers in Maharashtra and Goa circles. The new data
plans allow Idea prepaid and postpaid 3G customers to experience unlimited 3G
services, with rentals starting from Rs 750 for post-paid customers and Rs 950
pre-paid customers.
editor@telecomlead.com
