Idea Cellular reported that over 680,000 Idea customers are actively using their 4G services, during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Q4Fy16). Like Airtel, Idea now reports its both its 4G and 3G services under Mobile Broadband. The total 4G data volume usage this quarter stood at 1.438 billion MB and that 11.1 million Idea subscribers have 4G devices. The number of 4G cell towers increased to 14,643 from 1,813 from the preceding quarter. Mobile Broadband's average revenue per user (ARPU) stood at Rs 191 compared to Rs 196 in the preceding quarter. Reliance Jio reported that it has 500,000 4G subscribers from its soft launch and that they consume an average of 18 GB a month. We estimated that Airtel has over 2.79 million 4G users in the preceding quarter. In January 2014, Airtel had claimed that its 4G connection base had crossed the 100,000 mark in the country. 3G business Of a total 23.59 million mobile broadband (3G+4G) subscribers, Idea reported 22.9 million 3G subscribers, up 8.6% from 21.2 million in the preceding quarter. - 3G data volume increased 4.79% to 56.17 billion MB from 53.6 billion MB in the preceding quarter. - The number of 3G sites increased to 50,060 from 45,732 in the previous quarter. - 3G phone penetration: Over 34.5% of Idea users own 3G devices. Note this also includes customers who own 4G phones. Mobile Internet (2G+ 3G +4G) Idea's total data subscriber base stood at 44.02 million subscribers increasing 6.45% from 41.35 million in the preceding quarter. – Mobile Internet volume…
