RCom adds five more 3G circles, takes total to 18 circles

Reliance Communications (RCom) has launched 3G services in five more circles, cementing its position as the telecom operator with the largest footprint in the country.

The new circles, which would be operational from June are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh (East).

The move will enable RCom, the telecom company controlled by billionaire Anil Ambani, to offer high-speed 3G services in the entire southern part of the country and UP-East as well.

Currently, RCom has the largest 3G footprint in the country with a presence across 13 circles: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, North East and Jammu & Kashmir.

With its extended presence in 18 circles, covering 80 per cent of the country's 3G data revenue market and incremental smartphone sales, RCom is well-positioned to target a disproportionate share of the corporate, small and medium enterprises and high-value customer market, the company said in a statement.

This expansion will help RCom further consolidate its data leadership position in the Indian market.

''We are delighted to expand our 3G footprint to 18 Circles across India, which makes our service available in all metros and major metros in the country, enabling us to target the fast-growing data market in these Circles, said Gurdeep Singh, CEO, consumer business, RCom. "Together, these Circles account for 80 per cent of incremental smartphone sales in the country.''

''As India's youngest pan-India GSM operator, we are committed to improving the quality of our customer mix, and our extended 3G presence will help us attract a disproportionate share of customers in the high-value Corporate and SME segments. This will also help us further consolidate RCom's position as the leading Indian data operator,'' he added.

Last week, a TDSAT bench said that 3G ICR agreements signed by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular were not violative of licence agreements.

RCom will be offering the services in these circles by entering into agreements with other operators. However, the company did not disclose the name of operators it was entering into tie-ups with.

In April this year, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) permitted intra-circle roaming arrangements with other operators, a move that permits companies without spectrum to expand services.