Indian telecom operator Idea Cellular is planning to expand its 3G network coverage to cover 170 towns in Punjab with 1800 3G cell sites by the end of FY 2015.

Announcing the launch of 3G services in Punjab today, Idea Cellular, an Aditya Birla group company, said its 3G footprint now covers 28 Indian states, with its own network set up across 13 states, and through Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) agreements in the rest of the country.

3G services are available in places such as Chandigarh, Nawanshahr, Jagraon, Malerkotla, Nabha and  Ludhiana, etc.

P Lakshminarayana, chief operating officer – Corporate, Idea Cellular said, “Our recent spectrum win in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band has now given us the ability to further expand our 3G network, and launch 4G services in key revenue markets including Punjab, at an appropriate juncture.”

Idea Cellular has a revenue market share of 21.3 percent in Punjab in Q3 FY14. With a network footprint of 4,553 sites, Idea offers 2G coverage across 227 towns and 12,103 villages in Punjab.

The company is investing in setting up a robust 3G network in the state and has the ability to launch 4G services, as well, in future. This will make Idea the only operator to offer all three mobility technologies – GSM, 3G and 4G – in Punjab, in the next few years.

Idea’s distribution channel comprising of over 800 distributors, 60,000 retailers and more than 100 Idea showrooms, including special 3G Experience Zones, will enable customers to avail and enjoy 3G  services, the company said.

Idea’s 3G tariff plans in Punjab include Rs 19 package for 80MB data for 2 days, Rs 56 for 200MB for 7 days, Rs 98 for 300MB for 28 days and unlimited 3G plans starting from Rs 645.

In pix: Rajat Mukarji, chief corporate affairs officer; Sudhir Pradhan, COO – Punjab, HP & J&K; P Lakshminarayan, COO – Corporate at Idea Cellular during the 3G launch in Punjab

TelecomLead News Team