Idea Cellular plans to invest Rs 3,500 crore in building networks

Idea Cellular, India’s 3rd largest mobile operator is planning to invest Rs 3,500 crore in building network and launching 3G service in Delhi next year. In the spectrum auction held in February, the company won 5 megahertz of spectrum in 900 MHz band in Delhi service area which it will use to launch 3G services in the national capital next year. Post Delhi 3G service launch, the 3G footprint of Idea will cover about 80% of its current revenue and about 57% of national mobile industry revenue. Currently, the company has permit for 3G services in 11 service areas - Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh East and West, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.  During the January-March quarter, Idea added 5.1 million new 3G subscribers doubling its total 3G user base to 10.2 million. Idea Cellular, an AV Birla group company, provides Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)-based wireless service at the pan-India level, it is present in all 22 telecom circles.