Idea Launches 3G Services In Punjab: Signs Deal With Airtel, Vodafone

Earlier this month, one of the Indian telecom service providers Idea was said to be making plans to own the 3G network in Delhi by March 2015. Now the company has announced 3G services in the Punjab circle on its own spectrum. So looking at the pace the telecom service provider is moving at the moment, owning the spectrum in Delhi looks eminent.

To be precise, the 3G service from Idea which is launched in Punjab also enables 3G services from the company in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, Jagraon, Malerkotla and Nabha. To make its reach more wide-spread, the company is reportedly said to also have plans to bring 3G services to 170 towns across the state with 1,800 3G cell sites by March 2015. It is to be noted that Idea is the only 3G services provider in Punjab so far.

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Moreover, according to The Economic Times, it will allow Bharti Airtel and Vodafone to bring similar services in the same circle via an intra-circle roaming pact between the three operators.

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The roaming pact with Airtel and Vodafone was announced after a telecom tribunal ruling allowed it to pass. Under this pact, the three telcos now offer 3G services even in areas they don't own spectrum. The telcos uses each other's airwaves. This also means, Idea, Airtel and Vodafone have now expanded their footprint to 21 out of 22 service areas covering 28 states in the country, adds the report.

Idea Cellular, India's third largest telelecom service provider is also reportedly offering 3G mobile Internet service starting at Rs 19 for 80MB data that will be valid for two days and its unlimited 3G plans are Rs 645 onwards. Airtel's 3G ICR services will be made available starting at Rs 23, while Vodafone's plans will begin Rs 251 onwards.