• After a successful launch in Shimla and Baddi, Idea’s 3G services now in 4 more towns in the state of Himachal Pradesh
• Idea users in HP can now enjoy Video Conferencing, Video on Demand, Mobile TV, IdeaMall, and high-speed Internet on 3G
• 0ver 1 Million Idea users across 9 circles enroll for 3G services within the first month of launch
• Time based Billing plan for 3G services

Shimla / Dharamshala, 23rd May 2011: IDEA Cellular, India’s third largest mobile operator has expanded its ‘Gold Standard’ 3G services to 4 more towns - Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Mandi and Sunder Nagar – in addition to Shimla and Baddi in HP.

Local citizens, business communities in HP, and domestic and international travelers to tourist destinations like Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Mandi, Sunder Nagar, Shimla and Baddi can now avail Idea’s 3G services to connect with the world of faster Internet, Video Conferencing, Mobile TV, IdeaMall Application Store, besides many other infotainment services.

Idea launched 3G services on its network in Himachal Pradesh, starting with the 2 major towns, Shimla and Baddi, in March ’11 end. Idea has received an overwhelming response since 3G services were introduced in the state.

Speaking about the 3G expansion in the circle, Mr. Anish Roy, COO – Punjab, HP and J&K, Idea Cellular, said: “Idea has constantly endeavored to empower the people of Himachal by making mobile services available across the Himalayan state. Idea subscribers in Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Mandi and Sunder Nagar will now get an opportunity to experience high-end data services such as Video Conferencing, Idea Mall Application Store, Mobile TV, Video on Demand, and high-speed Internet Browsing with ease and convenience of use.”

IdeaMall is Idea’s Application Store which offers an entire catalogue of games and applications on Web & Mobile platforms. The application store will give Idea’s customers a superior user interface, transparent and affordable pricing, and all of Idea’s 2G and 3G subscribers using mobile handsets that support web browsing will be able to choose from more than 30,000 applications – both free and paid.

Idea’s national 3G footprint now covers over 400 towns and is progressively growing at the rate of 10 towns per day to cover 750 towns by mid 2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. Idea has traditionally focused on growth from semi-urban heartlands of India and will continue to drive its 3G services from these industrial, agricultural and educational regions.

Idea’s 3G services are now available in 9 circles - MP, Gujarat, HP, UP West, UP East, AP, Kerala, Haryana and Maharashtra & Goa. Currently, 10% of Idea subscribers in these markets are said to be using 3G enabled handsets. It is expected that these users will be the early adopters of 3G services.

Idea’s 3G services will offer the best mobile experience in downloading songs, streaming videos on YouTube, streaming audio, photo updates on Facebook, mail and other online media, movie downloads, watching mobile TV, e-mailing with attachments, blog postings, viewing photos, and Flash & HD Gaming. Idea 3G users will experience speed upto 21 Mbps on 3G handsets, and higher speed on other devices depending on the device capability.

Idea has introduced Time based Billing plan for 3G services enabling users to avail high-end data services without worrying about the volume of usage. To promote usage, Idea has introduced ‘sachet’ pricing offering attractive trial packages with per day billing.

To know more about Idea’s 3G services, and to check handset compatibility, customers can log onto www.ideacellular.com/3g or SMS 3G to Toll Free No. 54777. To feel the difference personally, mobile users can experience 3G services at special ‘Experience Kiosks’ set up inside Idea outlets.

About IDEA Cellular Ltd
IDEA Cellular is India’s 3rd largest national mobile operator, with 92 million subscribers. With traffic in excess of a billion minutes a day, Idea ranks among the Top 10 country operators in the world. Using the latest in technology, Idea provides world-class service delivery through the most extensive network of customer touch points. Idea is listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

IDEA Cellular is an Aditya Birla Group Company, India's first truly multinational corporation. The group operates in 26 countries, and is anchored by more than 130,600 employees belonging to 40 nationalities. More information on the Company is available at: www.ideacellular.com and on the Group at: www.adityabirla.com.