Idea Cellular is planning to invest over Rs 5.50 billion in Uttar Pradesh over the next two years to improve its penetration in the state. It is planning to increase its mobile penetration to 95 per cent and internet penetration to 85 per cent in the state.

According to the company, out of the total investment of Rs 44 billion, 11 per cent has been made in Uttar Pradesh. Idea has also approached the state government to formulate a right-of-way (RoW) policy that can facilitate the laying of fibre in the state. It has also requested the state government in facilitating the setting up of towers to improve mobile coverage.

Currently, Idea’s services are available in 85,000 towns and villages of Uttar Pradesh, and cater to about 82 per cent of the state’s population. Meanwhile the internet coverage in the state covers 15 per cent of the state’s population.