Reliance Communications plans to expand its pan-India network significantly through strategic 2G GSM Intra-Circle roaming agreements with existing operators, offering its customers wider coverage and uninterrupted service across the country. Under this arrangement, Rcom will be able to increase its network footprint by ~10,000 base stations following ‘pay as you use model’ with no additional capex. Alliance with Aircel (pan- India) is already in place and talks with Loop in Mumbai are ongoing. Potential alliance with Loop will help provide better coverage (Loop has 900 Mhz).
RCOM is planning to provide high speed data services through its 3G network in 13 circles and EVDO technology [Reliance NetConnect Broadband] on CDMA pan-India (with speed up to ~3.5Mbps). Apart from strong presence in CDMA based dongle market, Rcom is also planning to increase its presence in the high data usage smart phone segment through technological innovations (GSM + CDMA handsets/ sim) and availability of handset by tying up with leading handset manufacturers.
RCom is also planning to increase its focus on high margin post-paid customers, particularly in Metros- Mumbai and Delhi (currently Bharti and Vodafone have a majority share in this segment) by following aggressive tariff strategy and improved quality of service (along with other value propositions).
RCom CEO, Gurdeep Singh hopes enhanced focus to gain revenue market share driven by improving quality of coverage and better asset utilization.