Idea Cellular is reportedly planning to launch 4G services in the Kerala circle in early 2016. The operator intends to install 4,200 base transceiver stations in 2015-16, which will increase its total to 15,000 sites. This comes after the company stated that it would launch 4G services using spectrum in the 1800 MHz band in 2016.

The company has invested Rs 5 billion in augmenting its infrastructure to make it ready for LTE network launch. It is currently using spectrum in the 2100 MHz band and covers 81 per cent of its subscriber base in the circle.

The operator has acquired spectrum in the 11 circles - Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, the North-East, Gujarat and Haryana in the auctions.