Idea Cellular

For the successor of the Idea and Vodafone brands in India, see Vi.

Idea Cellular was a telecom company in India, owned by Aditya Birla Group. The company launched in 1995 and entered into a partnership with the Tata Group and AT&T before introducing the Idea brand in 2002. From 2004 onwards it was owned only by Aditya Birla Group, until August 2018, when it merged with its competitor Vodafone India. Both the Idea and Vodafone brands were used until 7 September 2020, when a new brand called Vi was launched.

Birla Communications Ltd.

1995–1996

LOGO MISSING

Birla AT&T Communications Ltd.

1996–2001

LOGO MISSING

Birla Tata AT&T Communications Ltd.

2001–2002

LOGO MISSING

Idea Cellular

Consumer logo

2002–2020

Birla Tata AT&T Communications Limited launched the new Idea brand on 1 May 2002. Tata and AT&T left the venture in 2004, leaving Idea Cellular with the Aditya Birla Group. The Malaysian Axiata Group later bought a stake in Idea and remained part of the Vodafone Idea Limited joint venture until August 2020.

On 31 August 2018, the merger between Idea and Vodafone was completed, creating what was at the time the biggest telecom operator in India by subscribers, and the second-biggest in the world. However, both brands were initially retained as consumer brands until 7 September 2020, when they were replaced by the new Vi brand.

Logo with slogan, An Idea can change your life.

Corporate logo

2010–2016

2016–2018

2018–2020

See Vodafone Idea Limited.

References

• Idea Company History

◄ Birla Tata AT&T Communications Ltd.

Idea Cellular Vodafone India

Vi ►