RCOM test launches GSM in Mumbai, Delhi

Mumbai: Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group's Reliance Communications (RCOM) has commenced its soft launch of GSM services.

Over the weekend, the company did a soft launch of its GSM service in Mumbai and Delhi circles, in which around 10,000 employees participated. RCom follows Aditya Birla's Idea Cellular into Mumbai. 

Reports suggest that the company is also carrying out tests on its GSM network in pockets of other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan and four southern states.

Sources say RCOM has initiated testing of its GSM network in cities that account for 45 per cent India's telecom subscriber base. 

Company sources confirmed that with the plan to launch its pan-India GSM service, RCOM has started testing its network in several circles in the country, earmarking around Rs6,000 crore for the launch of its GSM service in circles where it is not present.

Reports say that RCom invested around Rs800 crore in the Mumbai circle to set up 2,500 towers, with a full-blown launch likely by mid-December.

Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Surat, Lucknow and Ludhiana circles went live on Sunday afternoon, and 10,000 test SIM cards were issued to company employees.

Sources say that by the time the formal launch is around, around five lakh test subscribers are likely to be on RCOM's GSM network.

Reliance Communications plans to be the first operator to offer GSM and CDMA mobile phone services.