Idea Cellular has signed a three-year contract with Ericsson for GSM expansion in the Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh circles. Ericsson will provide Idea with radio access, microwave transmission and next-generation, mobile softswitch network architecture from February 2007 till November 2009. Ericsson’s network will enable Idea Cellular to make a smooth transition to a 3G-ready network after 3G spectrum allocation is finalised. The size of the contract is unknown. Meanwhile, Idea is planning to add 160 cell sites in Himachal Pradesh, 885 in Rajasthan, and 1,137 in Uttar Pradesh (East) by March 2008.
