Reliance Communications Planning Gsm-based Mvno Services In 57 Nations

[Arun 795]

29 Apr, 2008, 0102 hrs IST

Times News Network, Mumbai

Reliance Communications (RCom) is planning to offer GSM-based mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services across 57 countries in a bid to shore up revenues from international operations. RCom is the first Indian telecom operator looking at entering the MVNO segment outside the country. MVNO operations are currently not allowed in India.

“An in-house team of traffic analysts at RCom is working on various models to enter into bulk airtime offtake agreements at suitable time and terms,” industry sources told ET. MVNOs refer to operators who do not own spectrum and infrastructure. They buy bulk airtime from mobile operators and sell packaged plans under their own brands. Using these virtual networks, MVNOs can have their own SIM cards and can offer voice as well as data applications.

RCom is looking at buying airtime after analysing network capacity utilisation patterns of networks across target countries. The company is learnt to have tied up with operators across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. These include Etisalat in the Middle East and Vodafone in New Zealand besides others.

“RCom is evaluating opportunities to expand this portfolio to more countries where MVNO-based services can be offered. Alliance with more than two operators in a country cannot be ruled out,” sources familiar with the development said. RCom will buy airtime from operators and offer MVNO services riding on the content provided by Reliance Mobile World. “The company is developing and testing various value-added services to target overseas customers. It is looking at users with a preference for Ethnic Asian content, specific utility driven mobile-based applications and those with high international calling spends,” said sources.

An RCom spokesperson, however, declined to comment. To begin with, RCom will launch a GSM-based Global SIM card, targeted at Indians travelling overseas. This will be available in pre-paid as well as post-paid options and offer value-added services for niche customers in global markets. Users of this SIM will also be able to receive free incoming calls in 57 countries.

The ADA group company will also roll out a SIM-based international calling solution that would be offered to customers in the US, China, Hong Kong, UK, Japan and Singapore. RCom, which has over 1,15,000 km undersea cable network, will benefit from significant synergies to offer end-to-end ILD calls at low prices. Moreover, RCom will launch GSM-based nation-wide mobile services by the end of current financial year, to become the only operator offering mobile services on both GSM and CDMA platforms.

[@ksh@T 20]

he is indeed planning big . . .

[Dj 25]

might be good news for international roamers...

[Nirvana 4]

Press Trust of India

29 Apr, 2008

Anil Ambani's Reliance Globalcom on Tuesday launched Passport Global SIM services in 115 countries targeting 8 million Indians going abroad.

The SIM offers unlimited free incoming calls in 57 countries, the company said in a statement.

Reliance Globalcom, a division of Reliance Communications, said the GSM-based solution would enable customers to avail unmatched benefit of using a single number across the world, including free unlimited incoming calls in 57 countries.

The best class fully-IP enabled infrastructure, including 1, 75,000 kms of optics connecting 40 countries, provides Reliance Comm a diverse suite of global calling solutions and services, said Reliance Globalcom CEO Punit Garg.

Reliance Passport Global SIM is a path-breaking initiative to offer cost effective solutions for international travelers to stay in touch with family, friends and associates. While breaking the prevailing price barriers, Reliance Passport is an Ideal Mobility Solution for frequent travelers across the globe to have their own international numbers, he added.

Reliance Passport Global SIM has been launched in pre-paid and post-paid plans with country specific calling solutions based on the customer requirements.

Its customers would avail bundled minutes at discounted rates for calls made to India.

Edited April 29, 2008 by Honest
<< Topic Merged >>

[raccoon 53]

Wow, Anil is going to become an international looter...