Aditya Birla Group company Idea Cellular has finalised Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) as partners for providing equipment to launch 3G network. ?They are our 2G vendors. It makes more sense to have the same vendors for 2G and 3G,? said Sanjeev Aga, MD, Idea Cellular.
The company has also committed a capex of Rs 3,000 crore for the next 12-14 months for the launch of 3G services. Idea Cellular is expected to start the rollout of 3G services by the end of this financial year.
?We will not rush into launching 3G services. We will build up and enhance the network. Idea will have extensive rollout of 3G between January to March, 2011. We will be investing in transmission and equipment,? added Aga.
Idea Cellular is the winner in 3G licenses in 11 service areas?Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh east & west zone, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and J&K?at a total cost of Rs 5768.59 crore. It capitalised the interest of Rs 120.7 crore against the payment of 3G fee in September quarter.
3G auctions were held in May and seven of the nine bidders emerged as winners of spectrum. Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications and Aircel each won in 13 of the 22 circles while other operators such as Vodafone Essar and Tata won licences for nine circles each.
Idea Cellular is in talks with the country?s other top-notch operators for service areas where Idea was not able to bag the 3G spectrum. ?We are on the verge of finalising agreements with two top notch telecom providers in India to give our subscribers a nationwide 3G coverage,? said Aga.