Idea has partnered with Ericsson to deploy its 4G LTE networks across select circles in India. This deployment includes Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, the North East and Himachal Pradesh, and will serve more than 40 million subscribers. The agreement also includes the transformation of Idea’s existing mobile infrastructure across nine circles for 2G, and five circles for 3G services. The company did not disclose the financial details of the deal.
Idea has already launched 4G LTE services in eight telecom circles, and is looking to expand to 750 towns across 10 circles by June 2016. Himanshu Kapania, CEO, Idea Cellular says, “We are committed to offering our customers the best possible mobile experience. Transforming our 2G and 3G network will enable us to offer optimized mobile data and better smartphone performance, while our LTE deployments will take the customer experience on Idea Cellular’s networks to the next level.”
Airtel has already launched its 4G services across India, while Vodafone is in the midst of expanding its recently-launched 4G LTE services across Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. Reliance Jio also launched its 4G services in December 2015, initially for its in-house employees.