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Idea Cellular to invest 
8 Bn for Mumbai operations
Wednesday, 20 August 2008, 19:30 IST
Mumbai: The Aditya Birla group-promoted Idea Cellular, which launched its mobile service operation here Wednesday, said it will invest around rupees eight billion ($186 million) in the current fiscal for its operations in the Mumbai circle.
"Mumbai is the commercial capital of India. From today, we will set the mobile telephony standards in this city," said Aditya Birla group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla at the launch of the service.
"This is a landmark day for Idea. The Mumbai launch bolsters our position as a leading telecom player in India," he added.
Of the 
8 billion, around 2 billion has been paid as telecom licence fee. The rest would be made to develop the network and infrastructure in the circle.
Idea Mumbai, which will operate on a 1,800 MHz frequency, aims to have an initial network of 1,000 cell sites, which can support 1.5 million users, Birla said.
"We are planning a 20 percent of the new subscriber additions in Mumbai and breakeven in next four years," Birla told reporters here. The city adds around 350,000 subscribers every month.
The entry into the Mumbai circle will result in the company being able to cover 70 percent of the total national market.
"By the end of this year we will enter into Bihar, Jharkand, Orissa and Tamil Nadu and our acquisition of Spice Communications that has operations in Punjab and Karnataka circles, will increase our coverage to 90 percent," Idea Cellular managing director Sanjeev Aga said.
Idea Cellular has already set up a 3G ready network in the country, and will be rolling out the services with a slew of offerings and value-added services (VAS).
The VAS includes providing pre-paid and post-paid services on a single SIM, common user group (CUG) services, night-pack vouchers and full value recharges on certain vouchers.
Idea will also open a round-the-clock call centre and 60 exclusive showrooms.
Asked about diversification of portfolio, Agha told IANS: "There was nothing on cards for the time being but at the moment, we will enter into data card and the local phone booth segment."
Source: IANS
8 billion, around 2 billion has been paid as telecom licence fee. The rest would be made to develop the network and infrastructure in the circle.
Idea Mumbai, which will operate on a 1,800 MHz frequency, aims to have an initial network of 1,000 cell sites, which can support 1.5 million users, Birla said.
"We are planning a 20 percent of the new subscriber additions in Mumbai and breakeven in next four years," Birla told reporters here. The city adds around 350,000 subscribers every month.
The entry into the Mumbai circle will result in the company being able to cover 70 percent of the total national market.
"By the end of this year we will enter into Bihar, Jharkand, Orissa and Tamil Nadu and our acquisition of Spice Communications that has operations in Punjab and Karnataka circles, will increase our coverage to 90 percent," Idea Cellular managing director Sanjeev Aga said.
Idea Cellular has already set up a 3G ready network in the country, and will be rolling out the services with a slew of offerings and value-added services (VAS).
The VAS includes providing pre-paid and post-paid services on a single SIM, common user group (CUG) services, night-pack vouchers and full value recharges on certain vouchers.
Idea will also open a round-the-clock call centre and 60 exclusive showrooms.
Asked about diversification of portfolio, Agha told IANS: "There was nothing on cards for the time being but at the moment, we will enter into data card and the local phone booth segment."
Source: IANS