IDEA Showcases EDGE Based Services in India

23 January, 2004
New Delhi

Right on the back of its high-profile takeover of Escotel, IDEA Cellular Ltd. today became the first cellular operator in the country to pilot launch EDGE based services. With enhanced Data Download Rates of over 160 kbps offered by EDGE technology, subscribers of IDEA will now be able to enjoy movie previews, multimedia messages with video attachments, web-infotainment, high speed video downloads, java game downloads and other internet based multi-media experiences on their EDGE enabled mobile phones. Targeted primarily to the savvy consumer who is on the move, Idea Cellular's EDGE based services are expected to enable its subscribers to feel and enrich their experience in data services.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today, Mr. Vikram Mehmi, CEO, IDEA Cellular Ltd. said, "IDEA has always endeavoured to provide next generation technology, ahead of its time to its subscribers. While other players are still thinking about it, we have taken another step towards bringing the future to our customers and make their GSM experience richer and more value-added. We are looking to deliver the world's best to our customers — and we chose Nokia, a leader in GSM / GPRS / EDGE mobile communications technologies, to launch our EDGE services. EDGE will help IDEA remain ahead of competition and consolidate its position to emerge as one of the top players in the cellular industry."

He added, "As all the 450 + Base Stations in our Delhi network are the latest 4th generation BTS, our network is 100% EDGE compatible and we are fully ready to launch this next generation service in the whole of Delhi & NCR as demonstrated today."

EDGE based services that are available are:

• Internet Surfing: speeds of internet surfing with EDGE enable handset will be better than speeds available from existing fixed line dial-up modem. Typical speeds achieved 80 to 160 kbps
• Mobile Web Browsing: high-speed wireless internet surfing using an EDGE enabled handset.
• Video streaming i.e. viewing a live video content in your handset and downloading Bollywood/Hollywood trailers, fashion shows etc.
• Multimedia Messaging (MMS) & Downloads: sending messages with pictures, video clips, sound and text. Downloading Bollywood, fashion show

Following the first ever, live demonstration of EDGE in the country, Mr. Ashish Chowdhary, Country Head, Nokia Networks (India & South Asia) said "With Nokia's EDGE technology, Idea will be able to offer its customers high-speed data services and rich multi-media content which is at least three times faster than existing GSM / GPRS capabilities. Nokia is the only end-to-end solutions provider delivering such a comprehensive range of value-added EDGE technologies. We believe that Idea's vision to provide high quality mobile data services will position it well against the backd;rop of an expected growth in data services."

About EDGE

EDGE is a smooth upgrade from GSM networks, providing data services three times as fast and at lower costs compared to today's GPRS technology. All mobile services benefit from EDGE that enables seamless coverage and capacity extension for 3G like services such as streaming, high-quality video/audio clips, and true mobility to web browsing and corporate data access. Part of the GSM family, EDGE is a truly global technology. GSM/EDGE networks naturally operate in GSM bands. Edge is a pre-cursor and logical next step in the progression towards 3G networks.