Idea Cellular is planning to invest Rs 55 billion as capital expenditure in 2015-16. These investments will be towards strengthening its infrastructure across circles like Delhi and Kolkata, where the company has begun providing 3G services through its own network.
Meanwhile, the company has stated that it is looking to invest around Rs 3.80 billion in 2015-16 for network expansion in Kolkata and West Bengal circles. It has already invested Rs 20.59 billion for the same. Under the network expansion, Idea will set up about 1,200 2G base transceiver stations (BTSs) across these two circles. Meanwhile, it will set up 2,000 3G BTSs in the Kolkata circle. The work on setting up its own 3G network in the Kolkata circle will begin from September 2015 with an investment of Rs 1 billion-Rs 1.3 billion.
Presently, the company provides 3G services in the Kolkata circle based on its intra-circle roaming (ICR) agreement with Airtel and Vodafone. With the recent acquisition of spectrum in the 21000 MHz band, the company will be able to provide 3G services in the circle on its own network. The ICR will slowly be phased out after its own network is ready.
