Idea Cellular launches VoLTE services in 6 circles, offers 10 GB data

India's third largest telecom operator Idea Cellular has rolled out its VoLTE (Voice over LTE) services for customers across six major markets - Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana and Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh.

Idea customers across these markets can avail the VoLTE services starting from Wednesday, the telco said.

The company is also is also providing free 10GB of data for customers on making the first VoLTE call.

Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular said, "The launch of Idea VoLTE is the testimony to our commitment to digitally connect customers and a major milestone in Idea's mobility journey. We aim to provide a better and richer call quality experience to our customers through this revolutionary new technology."

Idea said that VoLTE will be accessible on 4G handsets powered by Idea 4G SIM. Existing Idea customers with compatible 4G handsets will automatically be upgraded to Idea VoLTE service.

"Idea is partnering with several handset manufacturers to ensure availability of a wide range of Idea VoLTE capable devices in the market," Shankar added.

The new services will be available on Honor 5C, Honor 6X, Honor 7X, Honor View10, Honor 9 lite and Honor 9i handset, Idea informed.

The telco also informed that Xiaomi Redmi 4, Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro, Galaxy A5, Galaxy A7, OnePlus 5 & 5T, Nokia 3 & Nokia 5 and Vivo V7 Plus would receive an OTA update with Idea VoLTE support very soon

Customers need to follow these steps to get VoLTE

1. Insert Idea 4G SIM in Slot 1

2. Update the Handset Software

Android Devices: Settings -> System Update -> Download & Install Manually

3. Switch on the VoLTE Button

4. Make the First VoLTE Call

Idea also said that During FY18, it continued aggressive expansion of its wireless broadband infrastructure, adding 44,856 broadband sites (3G+4G) during the year. The broadband sites increased from 110,054 as of 31st March 2017 to 154,910 sites as of 31st March 2018, taking the overall network footprint on EoP to 286,356 sites (GSM+3G+4G).

The wireless broadband population under coverage now expands beyond 650 million Indians spread across 164,000 towns and villages in 22 service areas.

The telco further said that the merger of Idea and Vodafone India is in the final leg of regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in H1CY18. The proposed new leadership team of merged entity has been announced on 22nd March 2018. Both the companies, have set up respective project management teams, preparing for the merger and initiated detailed planning for identified capex and opex synergies.