Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India have introduced 3G service in the Punjab circle. While Idea Cellular holds 3G spectrum in the circle, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India have signed intra-circle roaming (ICR) agreement with Idea Cellular to offer its users 3G services in the Punjab circle.
Starting from Chandigarh, Nawanshahr, Jagraon, Malerkotla, Nabha and Ludhiana, Idea Cellular will subsequently expand its 3G network to cover 170 towns across Punjab. The operator plans to establish 1,800 3G cell sites by the end of financial year 2015.
At present, Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India hold 3G spectrum in 11, 13 and 9 elecom circles, respectively. All the three operators have signed ICR agreement, which allows them to offer 3G services even in the circles where they do not hold 3G spectrum by using spectrum held by one of the 3G licensee holder.
