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PRESS
RELEASE
23
January, 2004
New Delhi
GSM
becomes more entertaining…
IDEA Showcases EDGE Based Services in India
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:
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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 |
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Mobile
Web Browsing: high-speed
wireless internet surfing using an EDGE enabled handset. |
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Video
streaming i.e. viewing a live video content in your
handset and downloading Bollywood/Hollywood trailers,
fashion shows etc. |
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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 backdrop 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.
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