Idea launches Android based 3G smartphones

MUMBAI, INDIA: Idea Cellular, India’s third largest mobile operator today announced the launch of a range of 3G smartphones at affordable cost. The two smartphone models include a ZTE handset Blade and Id-280, a Huwaei handset.

Both smartphones operates on Andriod 2.2 operating system, comes with GPS navigation, FM radio, MP3 player, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Orkut, Operamini browser and preloaded Google and YouTube along with a range of smartphone features and Idea TV. Blade and Id-280 comes with a touch screen size of 3.5 inch and 2.8 inch respectively.

Company is offering a bundled offered with the handset worth of Rs.3500 of data services which include Rs.259 pack of Idea TV for 3 months, 1GB data download per month of 3 months, 3G double dhamaka benefits for 6 months and Rs.25 talktime. This special introductory offer is available for both prepaid and postpaid users.

According to Himanshu Kapania, Idea Cellular’s managing director, Idea’s story is a very well known for voice with over 100 million subscribers, strong tower business with growing market share and the investment of Rs.10,000 crore  in the 3G space to drive revenues in future.

“Idea leads in the 3G coverage across India with presence in 1600 towns which is 35 percent of existing base of 3G and by end of this financial year we will add 3000 towns and 10,000 villages,” Kapania said.

“We are not focusing only on metros and tier I cities but are focused across the country. With we hope to make broadband for all and it will be become a reality in India,” he added.

Apart from voice and tower business, Kapania pointed that the third factor that will drive company’s growth and convert its investment into revenues is in the area of smartphones. “Currently our revenue from 3G services is very negligible,” he said.

“The new smartphones will further drive our existing 3G services in areas of industrial and commercial activity, centers of learning and high potential rural hinterlands. We are not entering into 3G devices market to compete with others but we are only making it affordable to consumers,” Kapania explained.

The new launched smartphones will be in the market by end of this week through company’s retail and distributors across the country.

“Worldwide, smartphones are witnessing rapid uptake due to their multitasking capabilities and vast range of applications. While data uptake has witnessed steady growth ever since 3G launched in India, the progress and proliferation will be spurred with the availability of affordable 3G devices,” said Sashi Shankar, Idea Cellular’s chief marketing officer.