Idea Cellular to Upgrade Indian GPRS Capacity

Nokia Siemens Networks has won a contract from Indian network operator, Idea to upgrade its GPRS network capabilities. Nokia Siemens Networks will add GPRS capability to 10 IDEA telecom service areas, while the existing GPRS capability in 12 other areas will be expanded.

The upgrade is due to be completed by March 2010. No financial details were provided.

As part of the project, Nokia Siemens Networks has also designed and will implement a charging solution that will enable IDEA Cellular to have a single system across these locations for real time charging of the new services for both prepaid and postpaid subscribers.

The IDEA service areas where Nokia Siemens Networks will add GPRS capability are Mumbai, Orissa, Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Kolkata & West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Punjab, Assam & North East.

Nokia Siemens Networks will upgrade IDEA's existing GPRS capacity in the service areas of Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West, Haryana, Kerala, Bihar, Maharashtra and Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

According to statistics from the Mobile World analysts, Idea ended Q1 '09 with just under 38.9 million subscribers - representing a market share of nearly 10%.

On the web: Mobile World - Idea Cellular

Posted to the site on 18th June 2009