After Reliance Communications, which announced that it is expanding its 3G services to five more circles today, Aircel Cellular and Tata DoCoMO are expected to make similar announcements later this month.
Reliance Communications has tied up with the above companies to launch 3G services in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and UP-East.
Together, the three companies have networks in 19 circles, while Reliance Communications had 3G networks in 13 circles. None of the three operators have 3G in Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat and North East. As a result, these circles won’t get 3G services from Reliance Communications, Tata DoCoMo or Aircel.
After the expansion, Aircel users in Mumbai and Delhi will be able to use 3G with the help of Reliance’s 3G network.
Reliance has not specified its 3G tariffs for the new circles like Kerala and Karnataka, where services will officially launch on the 20th. It may be noted that in places like Karnataka, Aircel charges Rs 200 per GB.
The three operators are teaming up to fight the big three – Airtel, Vodafone and Idea.
“This expansion will help Reliance Communications further consolidate its data leadership position in the Indian market,” the company said.
Tata DoCoMo and Aircel will also announce their launches of 3G services in the coming days in circles such as Mumbai and Delhi.