Reliance Comm seeks pan-India GSM spectrum

In a move towards a nation-wide GSM service platform, Reliance Communications today applied to the department of telecommuications (DoT) for radio frequencies in the 1800 MHz band for operating mobile networks in 14 circles all over the country.

In February, the company had applied for GSM spectrum in markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Uttar Pradesh (east and west circles), and Jammu and Kashmir.

It already operates GSM (900 MHz) mobile services in circles like West Bengal (including Kolkata), Assam, Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and the Northeast. On June 14, the DoT had asked it for a detailed rollout plan for these circles.

Reliance Communications today replied to the DoT, also seeking GSM spectrum in the 1800 MHz band for 14 additional circles.

The applications have been made under the unified access service licence. As the company already has a nation-wide CDMA network, investment in the GSM infrastructure and network will be an incremental 20-30 per cent of its existing investment and is estimated to touch Rs 8,000 crore.

When contacted, a Reliance Communications spokesperson said, "The move is in line with our enhanced focus on GSM."

However, it is clear that the company will continue with its emphasis on CDMA, and deploy GSM for future expansion, as is being done by many global CDMA operators.

Reliance is already a big player in the CDMA market in India with a 62 per cent share. Overall, it enjoys 23 per cent share of the mobile market in the country.