"We are happy to flag off the Gold Standard 3G services in Kottayam. Idea has constantly endeavored to empower the people of Kerala by making mobile services available across the state of Kerala," Idea Cellular Kerala COO Ramakrishna B said in a statement.

Idea's third-generation (3G) mobile telephony services, which commenced in the state three months ago, are now available in 12 major towns -- Kochi, Calicut, Trichur, Palghat, Kannur, Malapuram, Alleppey, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Trivandrum and Nedumangad.

The company, which has over 2 lakh 3G subscribers across Kerala said, "The services will reach over 1,215 small towns in Kerala by the end of FY'12."

Idea subscribers can now avail 3G services for faster internet, video conferencing, mobile TV, the IdeaMall application store and many other infotainment services.

Idea's 3G services are now available in nine circles -- MP, Gujarat, HP, UP West, UP East, AP, Kerala, Haryana and Maharashtra & Goa. The telecom player has 2.1 GHz of 3G spectrum in 11 circles around the country, namely MP and Chhattisgarh, HP, Maharashtra and Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Haryana, UP East, UP West, AP, J&K and Punjab.