» idea http://www.telegyaan.com Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:58:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 IDEA Cellular’s Super 50 Recharge vouchers in Andhra Pradesh http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/15/idea-cellular%e2%80%99s-super-50-recharge-vouchers-in-andhra-pradesh/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/15/idea-cellular%e2%80%99s-super-50-recharge-vouchers-in-andhra-pradesh/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:27:04 +0000 yogen http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=1582 IDEA Abhishek

To add up to the festivity in Andhra Pradesh, IDEA Cellular has introduced three new recharge vouchers branded as Super 50. These recharge vouchers are targeted towards users with varied usage behaviours. Read on to find out what’s in offering –

Super 50 L:

This recharge voucher is priced at Rs 37 for new IDEA subscribers and Rs 34 for existing customers. This voucher will allow users in Andhra Pradesh to make local calls across all networks for 50 paise/min. Although it sounds good, there is one drawback to this offer, it will make you STD call rate to Re 1/min. If your requirement is restricted to local calls only, go for it. Validity – 12 months

Super 50 SL:

This recharge voucher is priced at Rs 77 for new IDEA subscribers and Rs 69 for existing customers.
It will allow users in Andhra Pradesh to make STD calls across all networks for 50 paise/min. Similar drawback with this plan is that it will not reduce your call charges for local usage. It would be a suitable option for users having high STD and restricted local usage. Validity – 6 months

Super 50 SLS:

This recharge voucher is priced at Rs 105 for new IDEA subscribers and Rs 104 for existing customers.
This recharge is a combination of the above two offers and will allow both local and STD calling at the rate of 50 paise/min. If IDEA users in Andhra Pradesh have equally high local as well as STD usage, this one is the best bet. Validity – 12 months

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/15/idea-cellular%e2%80%99s-super-50-recharge-vouchers-in-andhra-pradesh/feed/ 0 IDEA Cellular launches GSM services in J&K http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/14/idea-cellular-launches-gsm-services-in-jk/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/14/idea-cellular-launches-gsm-services-in-jk/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:38:50 +0000 yogen http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=1577 IDEA J&K

Earlier this year, IDEA Cellular had released its plans to launch its GSM service in 5 new circles which included West Bengal, Kolkata, North East, Assam and J&K. Well, a few days back we saw IDEA making a quite entry in Kolkata, now they have even successfully launched their services in the J&K circle.

The bad news is that, IDEA Cellular won’t be available in the whole of J&K circle. To initiate their operations, IDEA Cellular’s network will only be available in Jammu City, Bari Brahmana, Bishnah, Katra, Udhampur and Jammu-Katra Highway regions. Other major towns in J&K like Srinagar, Lakhanpur, Badgam, Anantnag, Mattan, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Ganderbal, Patan and Sumbal will be covered gradually.

Announcing the launch of operations, Mr. Ambrish Jain, Director – Operations, IDEA Cellular said,

“IDEA’s innovative and customized products and services, and superior network have enabled us to become the fastest growing mobile operator in the country. Our network and offerings in J&K have been designed keeping in mind the mobile communication needs of the people of this state. IDEA subscribers in the state will experience superior connectivity, whisper clear audio quality and zero call congestion on our network. IDEA will aim to drive penetration in the market enabling larger number of people in the state to gain access to mobile telephony services”.

IDEA starter kit:

IDEA Cellular is currently is not offering any postpaid plans in the J&K circle, but we expect the plans to roll out soon. Their offering is presently limited to only one prepaid plan which offers all Local calls and SMSes at just 40 paise\min or SMS and STD calls and SMSes on any network at just 60 paise\min or SMS. The SIM is priced at Rs. 49 and comes with an airtime of Rs 5 and a validity of 3 months.

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/14/idea-cellular-launches-gsm-services-in-jk/feed/ 1 IDEA Cellular rolls out GSM services in Kolkata http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/13/idea-cellular-rolls-out-gsm-services-in-kolkata/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/13/idea-cellular-rolls-out-gsm-services-in-kolkata/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:16:16 +0000 yogen http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=1549 IDEA Cellular, a pan-India mobile operator seems to have quietly launched its GSM services in Kolkata. The launch without any big opening or inaugural ceremony. IDEA hasn’t released an official press release yet and we can’t even find the Kolkata circle listed on its website, but our reader from Kolkata have informed us that IDEA prepaid sim-cards are available to general public across Kolkata. We’ll bring our readers their launch plans and schemes once the official word is out, in the interim, if our Kolkata readers wants to add anything then feel free to do so.

[Thanks, Debashish!]

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/13/idea-cellular-rolls-out-gsm-services-in-kolkata/feed/ 2 New IDEA voucher offers local calls at 40 paise/minute in Mumbai http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/13/new-idea-voucher-offers-local-calls-at-40-paiseminute-in-mumbai/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/13/new-idea-voucher-offers-local-calls-at-40-paiseminute-in-mumbai/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:13:09 +0000 yogen http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=1508 idealogo3

IDEA Cellular launched its services in Mumbai around a year back and within a year it has been able to grow gradually and steadily in this highly competitive metro city. The current base of IDEA Mumbai subscribers stands at more than a million.

To further attract customers and as a special Diwali and Christmas offer, IDEA has launched a special tariff voucher priced at Rs 47 which will enable IDEA subscribers to make local calls at 40 paise per minute for the entire year. The voucher will also reduce the STD and SMS rates bringing it down to 50 paise on any mobile or landline network.

However, this special tariff does come with one condition, which is; everyday, the first minute/SMS will attract the regular tariff and subsequently users can enjoy the special reduced rates. Looks like IDEA Cellular is hitting back on RCom which today came up with a special tariff plan of 50 paise per minute which is without any voucher or conditions.

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/13/new-idea-voucher-offers-local-calls-at-40-paiseminute-in-mumbai/feed/ 0 IDEA Super Seconds: 1 paisa per second http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/12/idea-super-seconds-1-paisa-per-second/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/12/idea-super-seconds-1-paisa-per-second/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:28:07 +0000 yogen http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=1505 Idea Super Seconds

Tata DOCOMO shook the Indian telecom market when it came up with its innovative per second billing tariff. In reply to the Tata Docomo’s one-second billing plan, IDEA Cellular, launched a new ‘Super seconds’ tariff plan in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand which offers calls at 1 paisa per second on all local and STD calls on any network in the country.

With this move, IDEA becomes the first mobile operator to offer the pay per second tariff plan after telecom regulator TRAI suggested earlier this week that per second pulse should be made a mandatory option along with other tariff plans.

In Himachal Pradesh, existing IDEA subscribers can purchase a special voucher priced at Rs 24, whereas new subscribers can get it for Rs 49. In Bihar and Jharkhand, existing IDEA subscribers can purchase this voucher for Rs 8 and new subscribers can get it for Rs 14. Similarly, to avail this tariff plan in Rajasthan existing users will have to pay Rs 24 and new subscribers will have to pay Rs 55 for the Super Seconds one year service.

“This is yet another ‘first from Idea’ to offer world class and affordable telephony services to mobile consumers in the region,” Anish Roy, Chief Operating Officer-Idea circle for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu said. The new tariff vouchers will be available at My Idea Showrooms and Idea Points in the regions.

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/10/12/idea-super-seconds-1-paisa-per-second/feed/ 0 Exclusive: All (GSM) Blackberry Plans reviewed http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/03/27/exclusive-all-gsm-blackberry-plans-reviewed/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/03/27/exclusive-all-gsm-blackberry-plans-reviewed/#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:26:38 +0000 Rohan Kamath http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=1238 cdqwd

Ed’s Note: Our overworked brains ditched us. Sorry for the goof up, we have added the plans and edited the story accordingly.

When TeleGyaan did an exclusive review of MTNL’s 2G/3G plans, one of our avid readers voiced his opinion and asked us to look at other operators in the landscape. Given the reader-friendly blog we are, here is a post comparing all the GSM – Blackberry plans on offer::

3gbanner

  • BIS/ BES P-I (for individual/enterprise users)
  • Monthly rent: Rs.299/ 425
  • No free usage
  • Data charge: 30p/40p per Kb
  • BIS/ BES P-II (for individual/enterprise users)
  • Monthly Rent: Rs. 499/ 625
  • 500 Kb of free usage 
  • Data charge: 15p/ 20p per Kb
  • BIS/ BES P-III (for individual users)
  • Monthly Rent: 999/ 875
  • Unlimited data usage

We Say: Though the plans might be somewhat in line with that of MTNL, monthly charges as well as variable data usage charges are comparatively lower. However the operator is offering you the best speeds available in the country – 3G speeds. 

Our Pick: If you can shell out a thousand bucks, the unlimited plan is the one for you. It will make sure that your Blackberry is used optimally. 

logo

  • Prosumer Lite 299
  • Monthly Rent: Rs.299
  • Unlimited Access to 10 email accounts
  • Prosumer Service
  • Monthly Rent: Rs.1099
  • Unlimited email and internet access

We Say: Kindly note that these plans offer 2G (EDGE) speeds. If you’re an email and a messenger junkie, Prosumer Lite is the thing to go for or else the full fledged Prosumer plan will keep you busy with access to social networking sites, stocks et al.
 

Airtel Logo

Airtel plans are on the lines of Vodafone’s but there’s one more plan added to the basket:

  • Plan 1 (Only Email and IM)
  • Monthly Rent: Rs.299
  • Unlimited Access to 10 email accounts
  • Plan 2
  • Monthly Rent: Rs.499
  • Free Usage: 500KB; extra usage at 50paise/KB
  • Plan 3
  • Monthly Rent: Rs.1099
  • Unlimited

We Say: 2G speeds again. Again, the decision is pretty simple to make. More Email = Plan 1 or if you’ve got a decent surfing go for the unlimited one. The plan sitting in the middle actually does not make sense. Even though they have tried to give some relief to moderate surfers 500KB and a 50p charge after that is like…forget it!
 

looplogos

Loop Mobile has two Blackberry plans for its users::

  • Plan #1 
  • Monthly Rent: Rs. 499
  • Free data usage: 500 kb
  • Data charges: 10p/ Kb
  • Plan #2
  • Monthly Rent: Rs.999
  • Unlimited data usage

We Say:Loop has just got it right. If you’re looking to surf as well as do email on your Blackberry, I think they offer at very competitive prices.

idealogo3

Here is another operator, which has planned to play it simple and straight:

  • Monthly Rent: Rs.899
  • Unlimited Blackberry services 

We Say: Take it or leave it seems to be the motto of Idea. They offer single plan with no barrier and I guess they win in terms of rent when it comes to unlimited usage.  

 

The Final Verdict

Firstly, we feel that none of the plans, except the unlimited plans, offer great value for money, especially the data charges for all plans and the strange funda of half an Mb of free usage. 

If you need speed with your Blackberry service i.e. a 3G service to power your Blackberry, you have two options BSNL and MTNL. With the latter – MTNL being priced too high, we would recommend going for BSNL’s unlimited plan. 

If 2G is fine with you, we would definitely go for Vodafone or Airtel’s smart plans – Rs.299 unlimited, which will offer you the basic benefits at an affordable price. After all, Blackberry is all about emailing. 

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/03/27/exclusive-all-gsm-blackberry-plans-reviewed/feed/ 5 Idea Cellular – newest entrant to BlackBerry solutions http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/03/05/idea-cellular-%e2%80%93-newest-entrant-to-blackberry-solutions/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/03/05/idea-cellular-%e2%80%93-newest-entrant-to-blackberry-solutions/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:35:55 +0000 Kunal Gangar http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=1150 Idea Cellular becomes the sixth Indian operator to join the BlackBerry bandwagon on announcement of its tie-up with Canada based Research in Motion (RIM) to offer the latter’s BlackBerry services.

With this launch, Idea plans to facilitate its subscribers with the best technology currently available in the Indian GSM market. An Idea Cellular subscriber can now enjoy services which are at par with other GSM subscribers. “With BlackBerry solution, Idea customers can now stay connected and access information in a timely manner, thus increasing productivity and contributing to a better work-life balance,” said Idea CMO Pradeep Shrivastava.

Blackberry portfolio includes phones like 8700G, 8100/8110, 8310, 8820 and 8900.

BlackBerry smartphones will be available at all Idea stores, modern trade, and multi-brand outlets across 15 circles of Idea Cellular’s network.

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/03/05/idea-cellular-%e2%80%93-newest-entrant-to-blackberry-solutions/feed/ 0 Idea sets its eyes on 5 new circles http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/02/02/idea-sets-its-eyes-on-5-new-circles/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/02/02/idea-sets-its-eyes-on-5-new-circles/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:40:03 +0000 Rohan Kamath http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=1080 Aditya Birla Group led Idea Cellular is all set to enter 5 new circles. These would include West Bengal, Kolkatta, North East, Assam and J&K. With the operator’s services being well appreciated by users across the country, it has set its eyes on these circles. The deadline currently stands at end of 2009. Also, it has rebranded Spice (Taken over by Idea) as Idea Cellular in Punjab and Karnataka, where the former had its presence. Apart from the north, Idea also has its eyes set on Orissa and Tamil Nadu, which would strengthen its presence down under. However, this is planned to happen in the first half of 2010.  The moves come after Idea has succeeded in acheiving healthy growth for the recent quarter.

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2009/02/02/idea-sets-its-eyes-on-5-new-circles/feed/ 1 Idea launches HTC Touch Pro and the Touch Viva http://www.telegyaan.com/2008/11/19/idea-launches-htc-touch-pro-and-the-touch-viva/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2008/11/19/idea-launches-htc-touch-pro-and-the-touch-viva/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:11 +0000 yogen http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=887

 

Idea Cellular has collaborated with Taiwan’s premium handset manufacturer HTC Corp to offer two touch phone models in India, namely the HTC Touch Pro and the Touch Viva.

HTC Touch Pro targeted at business class introduces QWERTY keyboard layout that makes typing-intensive tasks like composing email or working on Microsoft Office documents quick and easy. It also features a 2.8-inch display, TouchFLO 3D and built-in TV-Out functionality. HTC Touch Viva on the other hand is an upgrade over the original Touch with GPS and Windows Mobile 6.1 OS.

HTC Touch Pro is priced at Rs. 34,900 whereas Touch Viva will sell at Rs. 16,490 at all Idea stores across the country.

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]]> http://www.telegyaan.com/2008/11/19/idea-launches-htc-touch-pro-and-the-touch-viva/feed/ 0 10 Lakh Spice customers written off after its clean up act http://www.telegyaan.com/2008/10/03/10-lakh-spice-customers-written-off-after-its-clean-up-act/ http://www.telegyaan.com/2008/10/03/10-lakh-spice-customers-written-off-after-its-clean-up-act/#comments Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:16:39 +0000 Kunal Gangar http://www.telegyaan.com/?p=753

 

Post acquisition of Spice, Idea Cellular was eyeing new addition of subscribers to the tune of 44 lakhs. However, the revised number of subscribers can be around 34 lakhs as Spice Communications lost around a million customers within the two months. This clean up activity which Spice says was conformed to the reporting standards adopted by Idea Cellular and was carried out to wipe out those customers who have not generated any revenues for the past six months. Such large number of inactive customers will surely make a company ail but analysts claim that with the backing and expertise of Idea, Spice will soon be a profitable venture within the next year.

Source

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