Idea has managed to convert only 2.6 million out of its 113 million customers to its 3G platform, more than six months after the services were launched, according to the March-end numbers released by the company today.
That translates to a conversion of just about 2.3%, highlighting the difficulties operators in India are facing in making their 3G services attractive to customers.
3G data charges are about 10 times as costly as 2G data in India, forcing many customers to stick to the slow lane. 2 GB of 3G data, for example, costs around Rs 650, while an equivalent amount of data on 2G plans costs between Rs 45 to 98 per month.
Idea said its 3G services are now available in in 3,000 towns and 10,000 villages in 20 service areas or states.
It also reported a 25.8% growth in revenues in the year-ended March, nearly double the wireless industry growth rate. Fourth quarter revenues were up nearly 7 percent.
‘Non-Voice Revenue’ contributed 14.3% of revenue in Q4FY12 against 13.7% in last quarter.
Idea said it has seen a net gain of 2.9 million customers (as on April 22, 2012) from other operators under Number Portability scheme, “with one out of every four existing mobile customers, who chooses to port out, preferring Idea services.”