Mobile network operator Idea Cellular today said its 4G LTE coverage reached more than 300 towns in 10 telecom circles.

Idea Cellular 4G is targeting to cover 550 towns during the fiscal 2016 and 750 towns by June 2016 in 10 telecom circles.

Idea Cellular, a part of the Adity Birla group, today announced the launch of 4G in Maharashtra & Goa telecom circle.

By adding towns of Nagpur and Ahmednagar towns in Maharashtra & Goa circle to its 4G footprint, Idea Cellular’s 4G in 10 telecom circles covers 50 percent of Indian mobility market and over 60 percent of Idea Cellular’s revenue.

Bharti Airtel is the No. 1 4G telecom operator in India in terms of 4G coverage and 4G user base.

Idea Cellular kicked off 4G launch on 23 December 2015. On the other hand, Bharti Airtel started 4G services way back in 2012.

Ambrish Jain, deputy managing director, Idea Cellular, said: “We have revised our Capex guidance for financial year 2016 from Rs 65 billion to Rs 75 billion mainly on account of accelerated 4G Capex and associated fiber rollout.”

The Aditya Birla group company has 6.1 million 4G devices, nearly 6 percent of its subscriber base in 10 telecom service areas.

In comparison, on an all India basis, Idea Cellular has nearly 48.6 million customers owning 3G devices (approx. 28 percent of EoP) and over 9.8 million customers with 4G devices (approx. 5 percent of EoP).

Four telecom network operators — Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone and Reliance Jio Infocomm — are in the process of expanding their 4G visibility in India. Analyst predictions suggest that Reliance Jio will become a leader in the 4G space once it launches 4G during the second half of 2016.

Vina Krishnan
[email protected]