Reliance Gsm Roll Out?

[linuxguy 0]

What happened of it? I dont see it in the news anymore. Has lil Ambani been sleeping over it? I recently heard that Airtel has reached 40 MILLION subscribers Just a year ago, they had 22Million and now they have 40Million? What the hell is wrong with Reliance. When are they rolling out their networks in the metros atleast?

[raccoon 53]

Why are you in a hurry for their GSM service? Haven't they tortured us enuf with ther CDMA??? Are you masochistic?

Anyway, AFAIK, they haven't been able to get the licence ...nor is there enuf spectrum to go around...

[jusmail 0]

Yup, the ministry of defence is yet to vacate spectrum and so the delay

[amtrag 20]

Off-topic: Reliance has been granted DTH license just last week. So expect some more competition in DTH market...

[HetalDP 947]

Next 9 month Reliance GSM can not see the day of Light

So plan Accordingly

[linuxguy 0]

why 9 months?

[HetalDP 947]

@linuxguy

(Normal Birth time since ovulation of baby)

:D :D :D :D :D

[KumaarShah 143]

That was a very witty answer, HP.

[amtrag 20]

@linuxguy

(Normal Birth time since ovulation of baby)

:D :D :D :D :D

But why those 4 extra smileys?

[KumaarShah 143]

Arey bhai, HP ki marji, whats yr problem with 4 or 40 extra smileys??? Maybe for RCL it may take 13 months and not 9 months for you know what. Ha ha ha

[linuxguy 0]

'nuff said. please get back on topic. so why is Reliance GSM not seeing the light of day? They were supposed to start services in Mumbai, Delhi and other metros by April this year or something!

[Puneet 0]

^^^

They were supposed to start provided the government provides them with the already scarce spectrum. As Reliance is basically a CDMA operator, allotting GSM spectrum to Reliance is a policy decision yet to be taken by DoT. And going by the dilly-dallaying going on the new spectrum policy, I do not think this is going to happen soon.

[HetalDP 947]

Already WCDMA and EVDO rev become OutDated Tech then When Reliance will get GSM what can we expect

Please Forget about it and Think of Newer tech then.

When Reliance will get GSM every other will be offering WCDMA or HSDPA or EVDO (by tata or Reliance)

Edited May 31, 2007 by hpnasik

[Arun 795]

Can CDMA players apply for GSM spectrum?

1 Jun, 2007 l 0209 hrs IST

Times News Network

While the controversy on the future of 3G spectrum is consuming the industry, Trai and the government alike, a new challenge relating to 2G spectrum is emerging in the forefront.

According to sources in Trai, it is set to float a consultation paper any day specifically to address the question of whether a CDMA operator is eligible to apply for GSM spectrum.

This issue specifically relates to Reliance Infocomm, a nationwide CDMA operator that also operates GSM in eight circles.

At the heart of the controversy is a policy decision made by the government in 1999 allowing technology neutrality for mobile licences in India. Now Reliance, which has made its ambitions to enter the GSM mobile business clear, has applied for 2G spectrum in the GSM band rather than the CDMA band, in 16 circles where it wishes to operate GSM services.

The association for GSM operators, COAI, is opposing this possibility of a crossover of technologies or allocation of 2G GSM spectrum for CDMA operators on grounds that GSM operators deserve priority, especially as spectrum is a scarce resource.

COAI quotes a 1999 case of BPL mobile (now Hutch Essar), which was denied CDMA frequency from the government on grounds that it was earmarked for basic service applications. COAI says a DoT notification of April 2001 also supports their point.

However, the fact that government-owned operator, MTNL actually uses a single licence to operate both CDMA and GSM — Garuda and Dolphin, makes the debate more complex. If MTNL can be allowed to operate simultaneous technologies using a single licence then why can't others, counters Reliance.

To help resolve these complexities, the DoT has written to Trai seeking its intervention in this matter.

Ironically, the second CDMA operator, Tata Teleservices, tends to side with COAI. Confirming its commitment to CDMA, the company believes technology neutrality cannot be interpreted to mean a combination of both technologies.

An operator must choose one technology and grow with it or, if it wants to migrate to an alternative technology, it must forego spectrum in the first, it says .

CDMA was once seen as the new kid on the block, a technology expected to challenge GSM's dominance. However, GSM has since evolved manifold and continues to have an edge over CDMA especially when it comes to roaming.

2G spectrum refers to the spectrum that is currently used by GSM and CDMA mobile operators to serve nearly 160 million subscribers across the country. 3G spectrum, on the other hand, is available in separate bands distinct from 2G and is considered more efficient, especially when it comes to non-voice applications. Several developed countries have multiple operators in this regime.

eh, maybe its going to get delayed further !

[linuxguy 0]

yup...no reliance GSM for a loooooooooooooooong time now I guess. So forget it!

As I see it, already Reliance is doing well with CDMA and Anil is more interested in promoting his broadband / IPTV business so I dont think hes going to haggle with the government over this issue!

[kesav 127]

TRAI has released a consultation paper on review of key license conditions and capping of number of access providers.

One of the key point under discussion which is of imporatance to future of Reliance and also to Reliance users like us is

**Permitting service providers to offer access services using combination of technology under the same license

Guys, Come On !! pour in your ideas and thoughts. Participate in Nation building.

You may have the breaking solutions than those "Tied Gentlemen" for yester Generation.

This point is also very important for future since you may have three different technologies coming into picture for providing voice,data and broadband services.

1)HSDPA(Hope all GSM operators will deploy this instead of WCDMA)

2)EvDO

3)WiMax

All of them has different spectrum needs....The question will arise whether an operator can use all three or only 2(one for voice&data and another for broadband) or only one(both voice,data and broadband).

http://www.trai.gov.in/misc_content.asp

http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressRe...2june07no55.pdf

[Arun 795]

Reliance Communications rings in Rs 3,000 crore GSM expansion

Friday, July 06, 2007 03:20:40 AM

Times News Network

With its plans to launch pan-India GSM operations being delayed, Reliance Communications (RCOM) is now embarking on a Rs 3,000-crore ($740 million) plan to add 17 million new lines to its existing GSM networks in eight telecom circles. Over the next nine months, RCOM proposes to beef up the total capacity of its eight GSM networks — Kolkata, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, North-East, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh — to 20 million lines from a little over three million now.

The company’s cost per line for adding 17 million GSM lines at a capex of $740 million works out roughly at $43. If this GSM expansion project goes per plan, by March 2008, RCOM’s GSM coverage is slated to extend across 9,000 towns and three lakh villages.

For its Rs 3,000-crore plan, RCOM will source GSM equipment from three vendors — Alcatel Lucent, Huawei and ZTE Corp. ET sent an e-mail questionnaire to RCOM seeking details of the GSM equipment procurement mix. In its response, the RCOM spokesperson said: “A large-scale network expansion is underway in the eight existing GSM circles, which on completion would multiply the existing network capacity, thereby enabling RCOM to offer the widest network reach to many million customers in these circles. We can’t share specifics on the precise outlay or the vendors but we have been in talks with Alcatel Lucent, Huwaei and ZTE.”

RCOM had initially planned to launch GSM services on a pan-India level during the current fiscal. The company had applied for GSM spectrum in 15 circles over a year ago but has so far not been allocated spectrum. RCOM is set for a long wait as the government is yet to decide whether companies can offer both GSM and CDMA technologies with the same licence.

Telecom regulator Trai is currently carrying out a consultation process seeking the industry’s views on reviewing key licence conditions. The process also seeks to re-work the existing merger and acquisition guidelines and also find answers to the crucial question of whether operators can be allowed to provide both GSM and CDMA-based services in the same circle. If there is consensus that players should be permitted to offer both CDMA and GSM services, the process will then lay down guidelines to specify both priority and methodology to be followed for spectrum allocation in such cases, Trai has said. All stakeholders have time till Friday (July 6) to submit their comments on these issues to the regulator.

Stage two of RCOM’s pan-India GSM play can only crystallise once department of telecom (DoT) takes a call on the company’s application for GSM spectrum in the other 15 circles. At the same time, RCOM has invited separate bids for about 75 million GSM lines for these 15 circles in what is said to be the world’s biggest telecom tender, valued at nearly $7-8 billion. Over five network majors, including Ericsson, Huwaei and ZTE, are learnt to have submitted their proposals in response to RCOM’s requests for proposal, but the company is expected to finalise the deal only after the DoT issues guidelines on the new licence conditions, industry sources said.

RCOM’s existing GSM networks will be EDGE-enabled and 3G-ready, said company sources. The mobile network equipment is likely to include the gamut of active electronics for DELs (digital exchange lines) from service support nodes, gateway support nodes, and media gateways. Incidentally, the Rs 3,000-crore investment plan to reinforce GSM networks is part of the $2.5 billion (Rs 10,000 crore) capital expenditure plans for the current fiscal.

[spdf 0]

No CDMA, GSM on one licence: DoT

Press Trust of India - Sunday, July 08, 2007 03:46:03 PM

Department of Telecom is understood to be against allowing CDMA operators to offer GSM-based mobile services on the same licence since it will enable them to hold a large chunk of spectrum leading to market dominance. But the department would wait for TRAI recommendations before taking any decision. Sources said that although DoT has its own view over the matter, the regulator's view would be studied closely before making any decisions on the same.

In DoT's view, Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) holder can offer wireless and wireline services. But on wireless, the operator has to chase only one proven technology of his choice. Once the technology is chosen, the company has to stick to that because a particular band of spectrum has been given to it, official sources said. The other reason, they said, is if one licencee wants to keep two technologies, it would hold a bigger chunk of spectrum which could give it market dominance and leave less spectrum for others.

UASL players like Reliance Communication who have applied for GSM spectrum could offer both GSM and CDMA services on the same licences because of technology neutrality. RCom currently offers GSM services in some circles through group firm Reliance Telecom. Operators interpret the lack of policy clarity in the UASL norms as technology neutrality. That's why TRAI was asked to give its recommendations on the issue, the sources said.

If DoT decides to go against CDMA operators offering GSM services under the UASL, it would be a big jolt to the Anil Ambani-promoted company, which is seeking GSM spectrum for a pan-Indian presence. Smaller players like Shyam Telecom and HFCL have also applied for GSM spectrum.

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Now what will happen to Reliance GSM rollout?

[Himanshu Singh 19]

There are certain points to be noted here.

1. Its just a position taken by DoT.Wait till there is final decision on the issue.Its not only a policy decision for DoT to make but it also has legal implications.Its a matter of time before Reliance and Tata decide to go to courts against such an order.

2. Reliance already has GSM service in 8 states...Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal and North Eastern states.So thats practically one third of the entire country.Reliance would, as reported yesterday by the Economic Times, invest heavily in such territories and make itself as the best player.Thereby it would make its case stronger.

3.Reliance has been the best operator as far as the efficint use of bandwidth given to it.It has done well in its landline services and rural telephony which are the obligation the operator has to fulfill as a licence condition.

4.They will buy out some smaller players in the different territories if the opportunity comes calling ,as an alternative,as Reliance tried to buy out Hutch unsucceessfully.

4.My guess is that BSNL and MTNL might be privatised in a few years of time and then one could bank on Reliance to bid aggressively for them.My guess might sound crazy but not without reason.Remember the NDA government decided to sell IPCL ( indian petro chemicals limited then a sick PSU ) and Reliance industries bought it. Today it is earning huge profits in a matter of less than 4 years.

The coming times would be interesting to watch out for.

[HetalDP 947]

BSNL and MTNL is giving GSM Service and Unlimited

Internet Access using CDMA 1x and Claiming to come in EVDO for Data

Already they have Procured the 3G-GSM Devices means BSNL and MTNL is Straddling with Both Technology then Why Reliance can not. It only Coz Spectrum in GSM is very Scarcely left.

[petar 15]

Problems in SEZ, Problems in Infrastructure, problems in telecom, Problems everywhere..

ROOT OF ALL PROBLEMS IS SO MANY DEPARTMENTS ---- ALL WE NEED IS SINGLE WINDOW CLEARANCE SYSTEM.

[Karma_prisoner 0]

Problems in SEZ, Problems in Infrastructure, problems in telecom, Problems everywhere..

ROOT OF ALL PROBLEMS IS SO MANY DEPARTMENTS ---- ALL WE NEED IS SINGLE WINDOW CLEARANCE SYSTEM.

PROBLEM with single window for everything

too many cases to handle by limited staff, therefore work will never happen or take ages to move forward

Limited expertise and understanding by those few staffs (U cannot expect someone to know "all about everything")

corruption will thrive even more as there will be only few people with immense power!

There is never a "single" solution to a complex problem

however to add here, Single window system for respective domain and fields is always welcome and adds lots of ease, efficiency and comfort for the general people & eventually helps in growth, of course not without its own problems.

Edited July 10, 2007 by Karma_prisoner

[bhupal 0]

As per Business Standard 19.10.2007 ADAG has obtained DOT approval for GSM & has payed Rs 1650 crs. GSM roll out in all circles, up from7,may start in about 6 weeks.

[Nirvana 4]

@bhupal

right, its discussed here.

[situ1962 21]

If it's true it's a great news.although reliance is the first company to provide mobile service in orissa it hasn't started gprs.it's call charges are cheaper than others.but due to lack of any data plan people are forced to go for other networks.now i hope as reliance has got clearance to roll out it's gsm network all over india,it will surely roll out edge based system everywhere.otherwise it cann't compete with others and it will also come to orissa also.after that i plan to switch to reliance gsm,there by there will not be any handset constraint.let's hope for the best.