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Idea 3G smartphones debut in India with affordable price tags


Idea 3G smartphones
In a bid to popularize 3G network services in India, a range of Idea 3G smartphones were introduced to the country a few days ago.They are said to be quite affordably priced for catering to the semi urban and township populations of India.
Idea Cellular had released their 3G network services, which currently offer coverage to about 1,600 towns in India, earlier this year. The new collection of smartphones will run on the Android 2.2 OS and feature touchscreens of two sizes namely, 3.5-inches and 2.8-inches.
Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular, elaborated, “Worldwide, smartphones are witnessing rapid uptake due to their multitasking capabilities and vast range of applications. While data uptake has witnessed steady growth ever since 3G services were launched in India, the progress and proliferation will be spurred with the availability of affordable 3G devices. Idea 3G smartphones will not only offer the best apps and technology experience to our users, at the most affordable price points, but are also loaded with huge data benefits and free offers exclusively for Idea users.”
Idea 3G smartphones
The mobile devices offer users a variety of functionalities including, FM radio, GPS Navigator software, MP3 player, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and integration of social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter,Orkut and the Operamini browser. They will also be preinstalled with Google, Idea TV and YouTube. According to Idea Cellular, the forthcoming handsets also serve as Wi-Fi routers.
For the introductory stage, Idea has decided to offer data services of Rs. 3,500 accompanied by a Rs. 259 pack along with the smartphones. Through this offer, the mobile devices priced at Rs. 5,850 and Rs. 7,992 will have a value of Rs. 2,609 and Rs. 4,751, respectively for Idea 3G users. The new Idea 3G smartphones are set to be available via leading mobile retail stores and Idea outlets across major cities in India.
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Idea launches smartphones to promote 3G service


Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular with Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer during the launch of new range of smartphones to promote 3G services, in Mumbai on Wednesday. Photo: Shashi Ashiwal
Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular with Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer during the launch of new range of smartphones to promote 3G services, in Mumbai on Wednesday. 
Leading GDM operator Idea Cellular on Wednesday launched 3G Android smartphones to attract its existing 2G users to its 3G services.
“These smartphones will further drive our existing 3G services. Users will now be able to access the Internet through these devices. We are also studying if we should enter the 3G tablet market. But we have not taken any decision on it,” Idea Cellular MD Himanshu Kapania said.
However, he did not give a time frame by when he expects increased 3G smartphones penetration and also to increase the average revenue per user (Arpu).
“We don’t plan to enter the 3G handset business. Our objective is to create the ecosystem for 3G penetration and hit an affordable price point. We are also not subsidising these handsets for our users,” he said.
Idea has tied up with Chinese firm Huawei to source a 2.8-inch screen smartphones to be sold at Rs. 5,850, and with another Chinese company ZTE to source its 3.5-inch screen Blade smartphones to be sold at Rs 7,992, he said.
Though there won’t be any voice plan bundling, as a special introductory offer, Idea will offer data services worth Rs. 3,500 with its Rs. 259 pack, along with these 3G smartphones.
The Rs. 259 pack offers free subscription to Idea TV for three months, 1 GB of data download per month for three months, 3G ‘double dhamaka’ benefits for six months and a talk time of Rs. 25. This special introductory offer will be available for both prepaid as well as post-paid users.
“Worldwide, smartphones are witnessing rapid uptake due to their multitasking capabilities and vast range of applications. While data uptake has witnessed steady growth ever since 3G services were launched here, the progress and proliferation will be spurred with the availability of affordable 3G devices,” Idea Cellular chief marketing officer Sashi Shankar said.
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