Idea Cellular cuts 3G tariffs by 70 percent (India)
Indian telecom operator Idea Cellular seems to be following Bharti Airtel’s footsteps by announcing a reduction of 70 percent in its 3G tariff plans. As per a company statement, Idea decided to cut 3G tariffs to widen the new-age offering by making it accessible to one and all.
The company said that under the new plan, Idea’s pre-paid and post-paid customers will pay $0.0005 for 10 kb of data, a reduction of 70 per cent from the earlier levels of $0.0018. Further, Idea said that 3G services are offered in 3,207 towns across the country and it has 2.7 million active users with an average usage of 330 MB per month.
Idea also said that it has introduced various packs such as sachet packs, regular packs and unlimited packs, priced in a way to accommodate users from different segments. The lowest of the sachets will be sold for $0.18 and offer 30 minutes of high speed internet surfing on 3G enabled handsets.
Five Operators May Get To Offer 3G Services This Year
Business Standard:The department of telecommunications is preparing a strategy for the release of 3G spectrum. Based on this, the defence ministry may be required to vacate 25 MHz by the end of December 2006, and another 35 MHz by 2007-end. Telcos require a minimum of 5 MHz each to run 3G operations. Which means not all eight big cellular telcos will be able to provide 3G services this year.
However, by next year, there is likely to be enough spectrum for all. But for now, five cellcos will be selected to provide 3G. The cellular association COAI has suggested that they can be selected on the basis of their ability to cough the investment (there will be a licence fee), the cheap 3G tariffs offered and so on.
Related:
COAI offers Rs. 300 Crore For 3G; Is 3G worth it?
3G Spectrum Is Not Free For Sure; Only Quantum Of Fee Needs To Be Fixed
TRAI To Suggest 3G Fee Of Rs 425 Crore Per Circle Per Operator
Source- http://www.contentsutra.com
