Date:14/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/14/stories/2007091451480400.htm

Back Idea awaits Govt policy for 3G services launch

Joins Asia Mobility Initiative alliance

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Sept. 13 Aditya Birla Group owned Idea Cellular said that it was ready to launch third generation (3G) mobile services for offering advanced voice, video and data facility to its subscribers once the Government announces the policy. “We have one of the most contemporary networks. Most of our networks are 3G ready and should be ready to launch services once the Government comes out with the policy,” Mr Sanjiv Aga, MD, Idea Cellular, said.

The Government is expected to announce the policy in the next few months.

Other cellular operators including Bharti Airtel, MTNL, Vodafone Essar, BSNL and Reliance Communications, are also gearing up for launching 3G services.

Apart from offering new services, this technology will also allow operators to use spectrum more efficiently.

Idea Cellular also announced that it has joined the Asia Mobility Initiative alliance in which Celcom (Malaysia), MobileOne (Singapore), Excelcombindo (Indonesia), Telstra (Australia) and DTAC (Thaliland) are other partners.

However, being a part of this alliance does not bring any reduction in roaming rates to Idea subscribers. It is aimed at bringing better quality of service to the users.