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Kolkata: Idea Cellular is gearing up to launch its GSM operations in Kolkata when the city has registered the highest growth rate in GSM services last month among the four major metros in the country.
"We have not yet finalised the date. But we would definitely try to launch our services in the first half of 2009," said a company spokesperson.
Idea, present in 15 of India's 23 telecom zones, has been allocated 4.4 Mhz start-up spectrum for the Kolkata circle last month. The company would initially look at a subscriber base of 5 lakh.
The AB Birla Group company has already declared its Rs 800 crore expansion plans nationally, of which Rs 200 crore will be spent for getting new licences this fiscal.
Kolkata circle already has five major players in the GSM services category- Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar, BSNL, Reliable Internet and Aircel Cellular Ltd.
"We have started looking for recruitments in Kolkata circle," said the spokesperson.
According to sources, the company has already recruited people at the top management level.
According to industry sources, it would be easier for Idea to set up a base in Kolkata as Indus Tower, a joint venture tower company of Idea, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone, has its presence in the circle.
Meanwhile, the GSM subscriber base in the Kolkata circle grew by 3.56% to 68.13 lakh in November this year. Bharti Airtel, with 23% market share in the circle, has added 54,000 new subscribers.
Simultaneously, with the largest subscriber base here, Vodafone Essar has roped in 80,000 new subscribers.
India's second largest listed developer Unitech is also gearing up for the Kolkata operation after it was allocated 4.4 Mhz start-up spectrum for the circle.
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