VARINDIA IT MAGAZINE

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has unconditionally approved the merger of the telecommunications businesses of Vodafone India Limited, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Vodafone Mobile Services Limited, with Idea Cellular Limited. The US$23-billion transaction is the largest transaction in terms of value in the history of Indian M&A.  Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. acted for Vodafone India Limited and Vodafone Mobile Services Limited before the CCI.  The telecommunications sector in India is witnessing significant consolidation after the entry of Reliance Jio last year. This merger will allow the parties to invest more significantly in improving coverage and capacity in telecom infrastructure, thereby enabling Vodafone-Idea to offer a better, more innovative and attractive range of services to Indian consumers, fuelling the Digital India initiative of the Government.... Read More

Idea Cellular has launched 4G LTE services across four more states in India (three Telecom Circles) – Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. With this launch, the company has expanded its 4G LTE service footprint to 7 telecom service areas, including the 4 telecom circles of South India, namely Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Chennai, which were launched in  December 2015. Idea’s 4G LTE services will be available across 183 towns in these 7 telecom service areas by 31st January, 2016... Read more

The country’s third-biggest mobile operator IDEA prepares to roll out a high speed fourth generation (4G) network to cater for rising demanad for mobile data.It Spend 60-65 billion rupees in the year to march 2016. Idea reported a better-than-expected 28 percent rise in quarterly profit, helped by higher data revenue, and said it would introduce 4G services in 10 service areas such as Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Orissa and North East in a phased manner. The No 1 telecom operator in Kerala has now achieved an unprecedented milestone in the history of the circle by registering over one crore customers on its network in the state.Idea is now readying to launch 4G LTE services in Kerala in early 2016. The company plans to add 4,200 cell sites in FY16 to close the financial year with over 15,000 cell sites and thereby enhancing the experience of one crore customers on 2G, 3G and 4G LTE networks... Read more

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   Encouraged by the good response to its previous 3G smartphones,  Idea Cellular  has launched yet another Android-based 3G smartphone -  Aurus 2  in India. Aurus 2 is a stylish, Dual-SIM phone, powered with a 1 GHz processor and offers video-calling facility. The new 3G smartphone from Idea, which at Rs.6,490, is targeted at existing 2G users who wish to upgrade to 3G in semi-urban and rural markets, across the country. Idea Aurus 2 has a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen with display that supports 320 x 480 pixel resolution.  The new 3G smartphone boasts of high internal memory of 4GB ROM along with 512MB RAM. The smartphone sports a 3.2-mega pixel camera with digital zoom along with a front facing VGA camera and supports video calling. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular , said, "Idea focusses on bringing the best of 3G technology at an affordable price to our subscribers, thereby mai...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   In a shocking move, Bharti Airtel has been ordered to stop offering third-generation (3G) services in seven regions. Also, it is expected that Airtel will soon get another notice for sharing its 3G airwaves with Vodafone and Idea.   Besides this, Airtel may be asked to pay a huge penalty of Rs 500 crore for the alleged violation.  As a matter of concern, it is found that Airtel will not have the permits to offer high-end data services from 18 March. It is important to note that recently DoT( Department of Telecommunication) had imposed a penalty of Rs 350 crore on Airtel for offering high-end data services in Kolkata, Maharashtra, Gujarat and four other regions, where it does not have 3G frequencies.  Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea won 3G airwaves in 13, 9 and 11 circles respectively in the auction took place..... See More

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   With the aim to expand its 3G devices portfolio,  Idea has launched “Aurus” , an all-new dual-SIM smartphone that offers video calling facility. Idea Aurus is packed with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS  and runs on 800 Mhz processor along with 3.5-inch multi-touch screen display, and cloud backup functionality.  In addition, the handset is also equipped with 5-mega pixel primary camera along with a front camera to support video calls. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular, stated, “3G is becoming... See More

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   Idea Cellular has launched a new Dual Sim ‘Idea ID-918’ smart phone under its 3G portfolio. As a special introductory offer, Idea is offering data services worth Rs. 2300 with Rs. 259 pack, along with the new 3G smartphones. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular, said, “Idea has always innovated to support the telecom services penetration in the country. In line with this commitment, we have introduced yet another affordable and fully loaded 3G Smartphone ‘ID-918’. Our first 2 smartphones ‘Blade’ and ‘ID-280’ saw higher uptake due to their multitasking capabilities and vast range of preloaded application. We have noticed good response and rapid uptake of our 3G services due to Idea smartphones. The dual-SIM market is fast evolving and we are glad to bring this innovative, feature-rich and stylish smartphone and a powerful bundle offer to our subscribers.”  The new Dual SIM Idea smartphone ‘ID-918’ is based ...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE To drive penetration of data services in the Country, Idea Cellular has launched a range of 3G smartphones starting at Rs. 5,850 onwards. Moreover, Idea is offering data services worth Rs. 3,500 with Rs. 259 pack with conditions applied, along with the new 3G smartphones. Hence, for the smartphone which is priced at Rs. 5,850, Idea 3G user gets it for a value of just Rs. 2,609. Likewise, the handset priced at Rs. 7,992 has a value of just Rs. 4,751 for Idea 3G users, thus making them the best buys in their respective segments. The Idea 3G Smartphones are based on 2.2 Android Operating System (OS) and also have a 3.2 MP Camera, Touchscreen (3.5" & 2.8" Screen size), GPS Navigator software, FM radio and MP3 Player, WiFi, Bluetooth, Social Media Apps besides a range of other high-end smartphone features and Idea TV. The handset devices can operate as mobile phone, minicomputer, and also acts as a Wi-Fi router. Himanshu Kapania, M...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE Idea Cellular Ltd. has chosen to reap the benefits of CommScope's superior performance smoothwall RF feeder coaxial cable, replacing most use of traditional corrugated copper cabling in its network. Idea is to utilize the high-performing coaxial cable in their base station sites in India in choosing HELIAX FXL cable. The FXL smoothwall cable is believed to be delivering a new level of benefits in wireless network performance and reliability compared to its corrugated copper predecessor HELIAX VXL. Stan Catey, Sr. VP & GM, Cable Products, CommScope, said, "HELIAX 2.0 FXL smoothwall cable from CommScope is a great choice for operators and OEMs in India because of its superior performance and cost efficiency as compared to standard corrugated copper cable. The smoothwall cable is built to ensure the operator receives a consistent quality connection. Additionally, it offers significant immediate cost savings over corrugated copper ca...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE Idea Cellular has introduced 'Special Tariff Voucher' for its prepaid customers in UP East. The new Special Tariff Voucher, priced at Rs. 35, is to provide Idea subscribers with 100 minutes of Local calling to any mobile or landline network in UP & Uttarakhand. The tariff is to be valid for 7 days from the date of recharge. Rajesh Naik, COO - UP East, IDEA Cellular said, "There is a surge in voice traffic during festive season, as people like to celebrate and wish their friends and family. We, at Idea are delighted to join the celebrations of our subscribers by launching a special product that provides more value and offers the flexibility of calling anywhere in UP & Uttarakahand, at anytime of the day." The new 'Special Tariff Voucher' is available at all retail outlets, My Idea Showrooms and Idea Points in UP East circle. For More Details See www.varindia.com

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE Idea Cellular has launched special recharge voucher for its users in Kolkata and West Bengal. The new special recharge voucher offers Full Talktime, as the Company is offering Rs. 42 worth of Talktime on a recharge of Rs. 35. Idea users in West Bengal can recharge with the new voucher which will allow them to make Local and STD calls at just 40 paisa/min. Talktime validity is for 7 days from the day of the recharge. Idea has also rolled out similar offers for its large base of users in the entire East region, covering Assam & North East, and Orissa, besides Kolkata & West Bengal. For More Details See www.varindia.com

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE IDEA Cellular has launched a mega Monsoon offer- 'Rim Jhim Mein Idea ke saath manao- Har Din Diwali' for its prepaid subscribers in Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh giving them an opportunity to win exciting prizes like a Bike, Laptop, Refrigerator, mobile phone, Idea 3G data cards, DVD players etc, in addition to assured Full Talktime on their recharges. Idea subscribers have to dial Idea lucky recharge No 50505 (toll free) from their idea prepaid no to know their full Talktime lucky recharge, and on recharging with lucky recharge they will not only get full Talktime but also will become eligible to win exciting gifts in the lucky draw. The monsoon offer will be available till 30th September 2011 and winners will be announced at the end of the offer period. For More Details See www.varindia.com

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE Three major telecom players - Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Bharti Airtel - have entered into agreements to provide pan-India 3G services. The three will now use each other's networks through intra-circle roaming arrangements where they do not have licences. Airtel, Aircel and Reliance Communications each own 3G spectrum licence in 13 of the 22 telecom circles, while Vodafone, Idea and the Tatas each have licence in nine circles. Just Vodafone has officially confirmed the arrangements. Vodafone said, "It has entered into a bilateral roaming agreement with Idea and Airtel in circles where we have not built our own 3G network. With this agreement, Vodafone / Airtel / Idea will bring a pan-India experience of 3G services to their customers." For More Details See www.varindia.com

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE Idea and Handygo have launched "Behtar Zindagi", latest bouquet of VAS offerings for customers in rural areas of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, UP West and Andhra Pradesh. This innovative product is specially designed to provide day-to-day information to Idea's rural subscribers. The subscribers can get exhaustive and up to the mark information regarding health, education, finance, weather updates, mandi rates, livestocks, agriculture and fisheries. This unique IVR-based rural solution by handygo provides credible and authentic information to the rural subscribers. For latest and reliable updates, handygo has partnered with various organizations such as Care India, Aviva Life Insurance, Indian Metrological Department, INCOIS, Hariyali Kisan Bazaar, Network for Fish Quality Management and Sustainable Fishing, Transparency International India, Sonalika, EKO India Financial Services and a host of other organizations. On thi...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE Idea Cellular has now launched a Toll Free Number 1800-270-0000 to guide over 700 million mobile subscribers on various aspects and procedures of number portability, prior to the national launch of the service on January 20, 2011. With this, Idea continues to lead the industry in MNP communication through a series of new advertisements. MNP entitles a mobile subscriber to switch from the existing cellular service provider to any other operator, while retaining the mobile number. The service will be launched across the country on January 20, 2011, and the date is also being promoted in the Idea's new ad campaign. Idea's new Toll Free Number 1800-270-0000 is being promoted through a television ad launched recently, besides other media platforms. The dedicated helpline will offer all relevant information on the processes and procedures of availing MNP and porting requests from mobile subscribers who wish to switch to Idea. Speaking on t...