Idea Cellular extends GSM services to Assam

Idea Cellular, a part of the Aditya Birla Group, today announced the launch of its GSM network in Assam as part of its plans to create a pan-India network with presence in 21 telecom circles.

Assam has a population base and a mobile teledensity of just 22 per cent, the company said in a press release here today.

Idea will launch its services in the remaining circle of North-East, comprising the six states of Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh later in the year, it said.

In Assam, Idea's services will be available in 13 districts -- Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Cacher, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sibsagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia – at the launch phase.

The company will double its network to 500 cell sites to cover 19 districts, including 56 major towns and over 1,400 villages in Assam, by March 2010. It will also set up a network of 450 cell sites in the North East region by March 2010, the release said.

Idea had recently launched its services in Kolkata and West Bengal and the latest move strengthens its network in the East.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Ambrish Jain, Director - Operations, Idea Cellular Ltd, “The launch of services in Assam is the last major milestone in Idea's national expansion journey."

NNN