RComm to launch GSM-CDMA service by 2008-end

Mumbai, Mar 6: Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group-promoted Reliance Communication plans to launch its integrated mobile service enabled with both GSM and CDMA facility by the end of this year.

The company will introduce this facility with both the telecom technologies through a unified customer support center so that customers will have convenience to access the sevice with a single handset, RComm Chief Information Officer Sumit Chowdhury told newspersons on the sidelines of an international communications conference , organised by Indian Merchants' Chamber here today.

A relatively small player in telcom sector, Spice has already introduced such dual-technology based facility but this innovation is yet to spread wings at national level.

Asked about the company's mobile telephony expansion plan, Mr Chowdhury said, ''We are working on plans for complete integration of services and brands.'' He, however, did not elaborate further.

He said that by March 2009 , RComm will expand its network to 23,000 towns from the current level of 10,000 towns. To support the RComm network in 23 circles in the country, additional 9,000 towers will be required, he said.

To handle business of its telecom towers, the Group has already floated a separate company, Reliance Infratel, which is planning to come out with a mega Initial Public Offer in near future.

Mr Chowdhury said that the company will also develop broadband access facility in 42 cities of the country and the numbers of Reliance WebWorld centres will be doubled within a year.

Asked about WiMax services, Mr Chowdhury said that the company will launch its Wimax service initially in only 10 cities due to limited spectrum. ''Spectrum allocated to us by the Government is not enough ..... It's a costly affair to deal with, so we will proceed on the response from the customers,'' he said.

UNI