Ritwik Mukherjee/Kolkata

Close on the heels of launching its services in Assam, IDEA Cellular, the Aditya Birla Group telecom flagship, has expanded its presence in the North East by launching its 2.75G EDGE enabled GSM network in Meghalaya.

The pan-India GSM mobile operator will now make its services available to nearly 2 lakh citizens in the major towns of Shillong, Nongpoh, Jowai in the districts of East Khasi Hills, Jayantia Hills and Ri Boi in Meghalaya.

IDEA has already set up a network of 69 cell sites in the north eastern states, which will be expanded to 428 cell sites by March 2010, to offer mobile services to over 25 lakh people in the six states of North East, Vijay Grover, Chief Operating Officer - East, IDEA Cellular Ltd, said.

IDEA’s recent launch in Kolkata and West Bengal, followed by Assam and Meghalaya, further strengthens its network in the East, and offers unparalleled mobile connectivity in the region.

“The launch of IDEA’s world class mobile telephony services in Meghalaya will connect the urban and large rural population of Meghalaya with the rest of the country, and drive mobile penetration in the region. We understand the mobile communication needs of the people, and the unique geography of the region, based on which we have designed a network that covers large population areas, and a product portfolio suiting the needs and affordability of the local populace,” said Grover.

It may be mentioned that IDEA has already set up a deep-rooted network of customer service centres and retail outlets in Meghalaya, comprising 6 exclusive ‘My Idea Stores’, ‘Idea Points’, and 780 other retail outlets. Aimed at achieving visibility and real time experience, these customer touch points will significantly enhance IDEA’s distribution network and help reach out to its customers across all segments, and the deepest interiors of the state.