Calendar year Events

2009
Subscriber base as on December 31, 2009: 57,611,872
Idea becomes a pan-India operator
Emerging Company of the Year - fastest growing mobile operator in the world’s
fastest growing telecom market
2008
Subscriber base as on December 31, 2008: 40,016,153
Idea acquired 9 licences for Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Chennai, West
Bengal, Orissa, Kolkata, Assam, North East and Jammu & Kashmir
Acquired Spice Communications with the operating circles of Punjab and Karnataka
Launched services in Mumbai metro in the largest single metro city launch, ever
Launched services in Bihar
2007
Subscriber base as on December 31, 2007: 21,054,027
Won an award for the "CARE" service in the "Best Billing or Customer Care
Solution" at the GSM Association Awards in Barcelona, Spain
Initial Public Offering aggregating to Rs. 28,187 million and Listing of Equity Shares
on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange
Merger of seven subsidiaries with Idea Cellular Limited
Reached the twenty million subscriber mark
2006
Subscriber base as on December 31, 2006: 12,442,450
Became part of the Aditya Birla Group subsequent to the TATA Group transferring
its entire shareholding in the Company to the Aditya Birla Group
Acquired Escorts Telecommunications Limited (subsequently renamed as Idea
Telecommunications Limited)
Restructuring of debt
Launch of the New Circles
Reached the 10 million subscriber mark
Received Letter of Intent from the DoT for a new UAS License for the Mumbai
Circle.
Received Letter of Intent from the DoT for a new UAS License for the Bihar Circle
through Aditya Birla Telecom Limited. ABNL, the parent of Aditya Birla Telecom
Limited, pursuant to a letter dated November 22, 2006, agreed to transfer its entire
shareholding in Aditya Birla Telecom Limited to the Company for the consideration
of Rs. 100 million.
2005
Subscriber base as on December 31, 2005: 6,473,962
Reached the five million subscriber mark
Turned Profit Positive
Won an Award for the "Bill Flash" service at GSM Association Awards in Barcelona,
Spain
Sponsored the International Indian Film Academy Awards
2004
Completed debt restructuring for the then existing debt facilities and additional
funding for the Delhi Circle.
Acquired Escotel Mobile Communications Limited (subsequently renamed as Idea
Mobile Communications Limited)
Reached the four million subscriber mark
First operator in India to commercially launch EDGE services 2005
2003
Reached the two million subscriber mark
2002
Changed name to Idea Cellular Limited and launched "Idea" brand name
Commenced commercial operations in Delhi Circle
Reached the one million subscriber mark
2001
Acquired RPG Cellular Limited and consequently the license for the Madhya Pradesh
(including Chattisgarh) Circle
Changed name to Birla Tata AT&T Limited
Obtained license for providing GSM-based services in the Delhi Circle following the
fourth operator GSM license bidding process
2000
Merged with Tata Cellular Limited, thereby acquiring original license for the Andhra
Pradesh Circle
1999
Migrated to revenues share license fee regime under New Telecommunications
Policy ("NTP")
1997
Commenced operations in the Gujarat and Maharashtra Circles
1996
Changed name to Birla AT&T Communications Limited following joint venture
between Grasim Industries and AT&T Corporation
1995
 Incorporated as Birla Communications Limited
Obtained licenses for providing GSM-based services in the Gujarat and Maharashtra
Circles following the original GSM license bidding process.
 __________________________________________________________________________
Auction of 2.1 GHz band (3G Spectrum)
(Mumbai, May 19, 2010)

 Issue and allotment of equity shares pursuant to Scheme of Amalgamation of Spice

Communications Limited
(Mumbai, March 17, 2010)

De-Merger of Telecom License for Bihar service areas and Telecom assets from ABTL to Idea
(Mumbai, February 8, 2010)
Auction of 2.1 GHz band (3G Spectrum)
Mumbai, May 19, 2010  
The Auctioneer has announced the provisional results, subject to approval by the
Govt.
As per the provisional results, Idea Cellular is the winner in 11 service areas, viz.
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (E),
Uttar Pradesh (W), Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, at a
total cost of Rs. 5768.59 cr.
The 2.1 GHz (3G Spectrum) footprint of Idea covers a very high proportion (81%) of
Idea’s total national revenues. Idea believes its bidding strategy and the Auction
results significantly enhance Idea’s competitive position in the market.