The Hindu Business Line : Idea, Hutch launch hi-speed data services

CELLULAR subscribers can now get Live TV, watch videos and experience high speed Internet surfing on their mobile handsets with Idea Cellular and Hutch, on Wednesday, announcing the launch of EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) services. The service which has been launched for the first time in the country is capable of data downloads with speeds of 160 kilo bits per second compared to existing speeds of 40 kbps. Airtel is also planning a pan India roll-out by December.

While subscribers of Idea Cellular can avail the service for a flat fee of Rs 500 per month, Hutch users can avail the service for a monthly fee of Rs 100 plus additional charges for downloads. For example, every game downloaded would cost Rs 50 and a ringtone download Rs 10. Idea Cellular subscribers also have the option of paying 5 paise per kilobyte. Subscribers will need EDGE-enabled handsets also to avail the service.

Idea Cellular will be rolling out EDGE in phases covering 25 per cent of Delhi in the first phase. The services will be rolled out in Ideas other 11 circles within the next few weeks. Finnish major Nokia has provided the technology for the service to Idea.

With enhanced data download rates of over 160 kbps offered by EDGE technology, subscribers will have access to real-time news and entertainment from TV channels, richer multimedia messaging, high-speed video downloads, Web-infotainment, Java game downloads and other Internet-based multimedia experiences.

The move from the cellular operators is being seen as a counter to the data services offered by Reliance Infocomm on its CDMA 1X platform. This also takes cellular operators closer to third generation services as EDGE is known to be very close to 3G speeds.

Mr Vikram Mehmi, Chief Executive Officer, Idea Cellular said, "Speeds of Internet surfing with EDGE will be far superior from any other existing technologies like dial up or CDMA 2000 1X. We have implemented the latest and the most advanced technologies in our network which will enable our customers to have a far superior experience compared to any other operator."

Mr Harit Nagpal, Vice President (marketing), Hutchison Essar said, "Mobile users in India are demanding rich, multimedia applications. With EDGE we will be able to provide next generation of multimedia mobile services to users such as video streaming."

An Airtel spokesperson said, "We are all set to commercially deploy EDGE on a pan India basis. Beginning with EDGE trials on our Delhi network in November, trials on the networks have been carried out successfully on a pan India basis. By the end of this calendar year, EDGE deployment will be complete."

The move is in line with global trends with GSM operators migrating to EDGE. Operators in 64 countries have already announced plans to launch EDGE services. This also means that operators will have higher revenues from data services even as income from voice traffic is dipping owing to decreasing tariffs.

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