Some blogs are publishing about Idea pan India 4G network after launch of 4G network in Assam , West Bengal & Mumbai. Idea Cellular claimed to be pan India Wireless Broadband Service provider which is either 3G or 4G. Because in circles of Delhi & Kolkata Idea Cellular provide 3G service only. In Delhi Idea 3G is on 900mhz while in Kolkata Idea’s 3G is on 2100mhz band.
Though it’s claim as pan India Broadband service provider do holds true. However footprint is too small to call it a true 4G provider even for the states where it has launched 4G service as selected few towns get the coverage. In state like Bihar only Patna is covered for now with promise to cover Ranchi, Gaya, Sasaram, Motihari, Dhanbad, and Bokaro later. This is not a true 4G service. When we expect a state is covered by 3G or 4G then alteast 90% of population habitat need to be covered. Though Idea is known for it’s rural coverage and we expect they would ultimately cover it however don’t claim as pan-India broadband provider until then.
In last few weeks Idea launched 4G service in Asansol, Durgapur, Siliguri, Kharagpur, Berhampur and Midnapore in West Bengal Circle. In Mumbai it upgraded 1,500 of existing towers with 4G services (2100 band), out of 3,500 telecom sites/towers. Idea Cellular also launched 4G service in Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Nagaon, Tezpur, Jorhat and Lumding & Guwahati of Assam. In Bihar only Patna got 4G service.