IDEA Cellular, India’s third largest mobile operator has finally announced the launch of its ‘Gold Standard’ 3G services that will catapult mobile communication services and transform user experience. Idea launched its 3G services in MP & Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh circles. To anchor the occasion, Idea unveiled a new 3G logo. The new branding will be implemented throughout India, across all customer touch points.

Idea has set up ‘Experience Kiosks’ to provide a flavour of the services that customers can opt for. These will be available to all users at select ‘My Idea’ stores. Idea’s 3G services will enable users to avail Video Conferencing, IdeaMall Application Store, Mobile TV, Video on Demand, and high-speed Internet Browsing. IdeaMall is Idea’s Application Store which offers an entire catalogue of games and applications on Web & Mobile platforms.

Idea’s 3G services will offer the best mobile experience in downloading songs, streaming videos on YouTube, streaming audio, photo updates on Facebook, mail and other online media, movie downloads, watching mobile TV, e-mailing with attachments, blog postings, viewing photos, and Flash & HD Gaming. Idea 3G users will experience speed upto 21 Mbps on 3G handsets, and higher speed on other devices depending on the device capability. 

To know more about Idea’s 3G services, and to check handset compatibility, customers can log onto www.ideacellular.com/3g or call Idea’s customer care helpline: 12345. To feel the difference personally, mobile users can experience 3G services at special ‘Experience Kiosks’ set up inside ‘My Idea’ Stores.

On the occasion of the 3G launch, Mr. Himanshu Kapania, Deputy Managing Director, Idea Cellular said: “3G services will mark the beginning of the next phase of India’s telecom growth story and bring the sector on par with the most advanced telecom markets in the world. Beginning today, Idea subscribers will be the first in India to experience the Gold Standard in 3G services.” Currently, 10% of Idea’s over 86 million subscribers are said to be using 3G enabled handsets. It is expected that these users will be the early adopters of 3G services.

Idea’s 3G services will be available in 200 towns by mid April ‘11, progressively growing at the rate of 10 towns per day to cover 750 towns by mid 2011, and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. Idea has traditionally focused on growth from semi-urban heartlands of India and will continue to drive its 3G services from these industrial, agricultural and educational regions.