Reliance Infocom looks for retail space

Chennai: Reliance Infocom, the telecom arm of the Reliance group, is seeking retail space to sell its services. The company is in the process of setting up a 60,000-km optic-fibre cable (OFC) network across India, covering over 500 cities. The OFC will enable Reliance Infocom to provide broadband connectivity to its consumers for various applications, based on voice, video and data.

In order to market its services in major Indian cities, district headquarters and towns that would number over 500, Reliance Infocom requires retail store space ranging between 800 and 2,000 sq ft. The company is willing to take the space on lease or purchase the same outright.

The company is looking for space in prime commercial or residential areas that are mass frequented. The space could also be parts of shopping or entertainment complexes. The shop front should at least have a 20-ft signage area and should be facing an area that is quite active, preferably a parking lot.

So, after garment and general provisions retail chains, it is now the turn of telecom companies to scout for retail space in Chennai. The city is going to see the entry of three new players in the basic services Tata Teleservices, Bharti Telnet and Reliance Infocom who, along with the existing service provider BSNL Chennai Telephones, are on the seeking retail space in prime locations.

BSNL and Bharti have already hired some space in Chennai and are designing their retail outlets. Bharti plans to start its services soon in Tamil Nadu; it recently held a meeting with all public-call office operators to ensure their support. The launch plans came to a halt when the Chennai Municipal Corporation banned digging roads, which had caused problems to city residents.