Idea Cellular plans to invest Rs 42 billion in 3G network infrastructure, including erecting around 16,000 towers by March, 2012, say news reports.
According to Himanshu Kapania, deputy managing director, Idea Cellular, a total of Rs 100 billion will be invested in the company?s 3G operations. This includes the Rs 58 billion the company paid to secure licenses for spectrum in 11 circles.
Idea launched its 3G operations in 10 cities across three circles in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat today, with an unique offering that also lets users pay per minute of usage, rather than on amount of data downloaded.
The company is targeting to touch 200 towns by April 15, 2011, which will go up to 750 by May 2011. The rest of the circles where it holds licences such as Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh (West), Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh (East) will see a roll-out by April 15, added Kapania.
