RCom users can use Reliance Jio 4G under new tie-up

Making it official, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd and Reliance Communications Limited (“RCOM”) today announced the signing of agreements for the sale of 800 MHz spectrum in 9 Circles by RCOM to Reliance Jio, and for sharing of spectrum in 800 MHz band across 17 Circles. As part of the enhanced strategic collaboration, both Companies also […]

Reliance Jio to go for limited 4G launch in days; LYF phones coming next week

Reliance Jio is not planning a big bang, all-at-once launch of its 4G commercial service, but will introduce it to the public in stages starting as early as the end of this month, a mid-level executive with the company revealed. “We’ve been told to work for a limited launch this month,” said the marketing executive. […]

What RCom – Reliance Jio spectrum trading deal means for the industry

According to media reports, Reliance Communications will convert nearly all of its CDMA spectrum into 4G spectrum by paying around Rs 7,000 cr to the government, and then sell it to Reliance Jio for Rs 4,500. Some are perplexed as to why a company would pay so much to the government to free up its spectrum and […]

Telenor, Vodafone, Tata keen on 700 MHz spectrum; Jio, Bharti, Idea defensive

For years, India’s telecom operators have taken the government repeatedly to task over ‘hoarding’ spectrum, not releasing it on time etc.. However, with recent auctions giving some of them a competitive advantage, many of these operators are now asking the government to postpone the upcoming 700 MHz auctions – slated to be the biggest India will ever see. As part […]

RCom-Aircel merger would be a coup for Anil Ambani

After signing a merger deal with MTS, Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications is now targeting Aircel Cellular for a merger deal that will be a major coup for the younger Ambani brother. The Mumbai-based company it has entered into a 90-day exclusivity period with Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB) and Sindya Securities and Investments Private Limited, the […]

From January, RCom customers may be able to use Reliance Jio 4G

Customers of Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications Ltd may be able to use 4G services from next month thanks to an agreement with Reliance Jio, according to sources. Jio, as we have already reported, is scheduled to launch its services by the end of this month and the company’s subscribers will be eligible to use RCom’s […]

Reliance Jio to launch 4G in Jan-March; Airtel, Vodafone, Idea may offer discounts – Fitch

Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries, is likely to launch its 4G services any time from January to March next year, and will pose a credible challenge to incumbents, driving out weaker operators, Fitch Ratings said. “Jio’s product is likely to gain traction – given the intention to launch an integrated […]

Spectrum Trading norms to lead to exits — Airtel, Idea, Vodafone, Reliance Jio seen winning

Spectrum trading is likely to lead to consolidation in the Indian telecom industry and four telecom operators — Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone and Reliance Jio — are likely to emerge the winners — analysts said. “The industry could see emergence of four pan-India players (Bharti Airtel Limited, Vodafone India Limited, Idea Cellular Ltd and […]

RCom’s lack of data investments starts hurting growth

Reliance Communications Ltd reported disappointing results for the June quarter on a steep decline in voice usage, but the company’s voice pricing is now more or less at parity with that of Idea Cellular. However, in the absence of data growth, the company was not able to report impressive numbers for the first quarter. Net […]

How Reliance Jio deal can win RCom a ‘free’ 4G network

Reliance Communications is fast emerging as the biggest beneficiary of the approval of spectrum sharing guidelines, though Vodafone and Bharti Airtel — which obtained 3G spectrum earlier this year — could also benefit big time. According to a report in the Economic Times, Reliance Jio and Reliance Communications will take advantage of the new rules […]

TRAI issues new rules for mobile data billing

TRAI today issued the “Telecom Consumers Protection (Eighth Amendment) Regulations, 2015” to requiring strict levels of disclosure of billing for mobile data. While prepaid users do get such notifications even now, these rules will extend the benefit to postpaid users in addition. TRAI has been receiving several complaints from consumers regarding non-availability of information relating to […]

RCom expands its cloud computing infrastructure in India

Reliance Communications has deployed new Cloud Xchange nodes in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Cloud Xchange is the company’s cloud computing-cum-delivery solution. It helps in sophisticated delivery and implementation of cloud-computing based solutions, including content delivery. In some ways, it is like Amazon Web Services. At present, Akamai Technologies is a big player in network […]

DoT rule may keep spectrum swapping out of reach of certain operators

The Department of Telecom is unlikely to allow all telecom operators to conduct spectrum swapping, and permit only those players who hold only auctioned spectrum to do so. This move is likely to severely restrict the benefits and applicability of spectrum swapping as ‘subsidized spectrum’ allocated in earlier years is lying co-mingled with newer auctioned […]

RCom, MTS merger is all about 4G LTE – analysts

Reliance Communications and Sistema Shyam Teleservices (MTS) announced that they were in exclusive discussions to merge their operations. While this was seen as being in the works, especially after a recent statement by Sistema’s Dmitry Shukov, analysts are saying that this merger will be a win-win for both parties. “If they can merge, then it […]

Reliance Communications offers 25p/min calls after TRAI IUC cut; to pressure Airtel, Idea

Reliance Communications, one of India’s largest telecom companies, is offering India’s cheapest call rate – 25 paise per minute – for both STD and local calls for subscribers of its CDMA service. The offer, called ‘Diwali Dhamaka’ is available in most circles. In certain circles, however, the call rate is 30 paise per minute. In […]

RCom offers free access to select sites, raises net neutrality issues

Reliance Communications has started offering free access to its customers to a select group of around 33 websites free of charge to its subscribers. It was not clear whether the ‘free Internet’ platform from Reliance Communications is open to all websites free of charge, or only for those websites who are willing to pay the […]