RCom plans intra-circle roaming agreements to improve 2G GSM network coverage
RCom has announced its plans to expand its pan-India network by entering strategic 2G GSM Intra-Circle Roaming agreements with existing operators.
Reliance Communications (RCom) has announced its plans to expand its pan-India network by entering strategic 2G GSM Intra-Circle Roaming agreements with existing operators. To start with, it has already joined hands with Aircel.
The alliance will enable Reliance customers to use roaming on other partner network, without any additional cost. All agreements with existing operators are likely to be completed by end of the second quarter of this year.
The company hopes these ICR agreements will help increase its national 2G GSM network footprint by 10,000 base stations and exposure to about 150 million customers, adding up to a market opportunity of over Rs 10,000 crore.
“We are already in advanced stages of talks with several operators across the country to put these agreements in place, and are delighted to announce the first of many such alliances today—a pan-India 2G GSM ICR agreement with Aircel,” says Gurdeep Singh, President and Chief Executive Officer (Wireless), Reliance Communications.
“In today’s highly competitive and cluttered telecom scenario, this agreement will expand RCOM’s network footprint at no upfront cost—a ‘Pay As You Use’ model—and improve both service quality and operational efficiencies. We believe that the iming for such alliances is just right, as the industry is now moving into consolidation mode,” he added.
Kaizad Heerjee, Chief Operating Officer, Aircel says: “Our strong infrastructure and network capabilities across the country have enabled us to provide a differentiated, redefined and affordable user experience to our customers. The signing of the MoU with RCOM is our first step in this direction, to make mobile services available to all.”
RCom’s ICR agreements come amid ongoing stalemate between the government and mobile operators over the issue of providing free roaming services in the country. While most of the telecom operators have opposed the One Nation One Rate concept, RCom has said the move will not impact the revenues of the telcos, rather help expand the coverage. Read more about the development here.