Reliance Communications Covers 90 Percent Of Kerala Population

[Arun 795]

The Hindu

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 : 1905 Hrs

Mobile service provider Reliance Communications said it had covered over 90 per cent of the population in Kerala following the completion of a massive network expansion plan that it had kick-started a year ago.

V. G. Somasekhar, Regional Head (Kerala and Tamil Nadu circles) of Reliance Communications, said Reliance network was connected to 159 census towns, covering 48 short distance calling areas (SDCAs) in 63 taluks across Kerala. With the completion of the CDMA expansion project, Reliance, he said, had also covered 84 per cent of the about 1,500 villages in the State. Reliance Communications currently commands a share of 18 per cent in the mobile phone market of Kerala, with a subscriber base of around 2.2 million. The ARPU (average revenue per user) worked out to around Rs.275, he said.

Mr. Somaskhar asserted that the wireless strategy of Reliance Communications was aimed at providing customers of sorts from any parts of the State to access the high quality all-IP NextGen network that comprised voice, data and video as it was on the Internet. He said the expansion also saw an addition of 800 km to the fibre optic cable network in the State from the existing 3,300 km.

To cash in on the potential arising out of Kerala's relationship with the Gulf, the company had also decided to introduce three types of novel `Gulf calling cards.' Express Gulf Calling Cards with a MRP of Rs. 47, he said, was aimed at mass market. It typically encouraged people in Kerala to call their loved ones in the Gulf at affordable rates. The company would also launch a Gulf Calling Card with MRP of Rs.125 and Rs.225 and also a Special Gulf Calling Card 786.

As part of its Onam offer, Mr. Somasekhar said Reliance Communications had also launched LG 3500 colour handset model that provided excellent battery life and clear ring tones. The model was launched at an entry price point of Rs.999. Simultaneously, the company had also launched its wireless landline phone - Hello - at a price point of Rs.999.

He was confident that Reliance Communication would improve its market share in Kerala, now that all the infrastructure was in position in the State.