Reliance says GSM to co-exist with CDMA

Reliance Communications today said its GSM expansion, which will run parallel to its existing CDMA platform, was aimed at offering better services to customers at more competitive prices.

"We want to offer services at the most affordable prices, notwithstanding the portfolio of technology which we have. Technology does not matter. Customers recognise the services, there is nothing like more focus on GSM, it is the portfolio of technologies. Even today we have both the technologies," Reliance Communications Wireless Business President S P Shukla said after announcing a new tariff plan.

Under the plan, the company would charge 40 paise per minute for calls in 18 state capitals, besides Delhi. A Reliance fixed wireless customer will be able to make a call at Rs 1.30 per three minute to another Reliance fixed wireless phone (FWP) in any of the other 18 state capitals.

Shukla said, "Call rates for FWP subscribers with '32' numbering plan will be Rs 1.20 per three minutes, the same as local call charges. The plan will be applicable to all the postpaid and prepaid customers."

This plan will come into effect from July 4. Reliance will also be adding 300 new cities to its network by the end of the month, he said.

Replying to a query if GSM is a better technology and has succeeded in India compared with CDMA, he said, "There are various issues, pros and cons, merits and demerits... That is why companies have portfolio of technologies... The idea remains that customers do not want to know which technologies they use but want best services at best prices."

Currently, Reliance has 2 million FWP customers of which 40-50 per cent are in these 19 capitals.