R-Com launches GSM services in Delhi

Reliance Communications (R-Com), part of the Reliance-Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG), Sunday launched its GSM services in the national capital.

The Delhi launch comes after the company successfully started GSM services in 11,000 towns in the country.

“We got the licence for GSM services last year and within 11 months the company has launched the services in almost the entire country,” C.S. Rana, R-Com regional head - Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan circles, told IANS.

The low-tariff and affordable services are not only appealing to the masses, but also promising better coverage, Rana said.

Continuing the trend, R-Com will offer the initial subscription at Rs.49.

For a Rs.115 package, customer will get new connection with 450-minute free calling time. It also offers unlimited free Reliance-to-Reliance local calls at night.

The company has set up around 950 new towers for the GSM launch and will share infrastructure from about 850 existing towers that are used for CDMA services.

“We have a total of around 1,800 towers in Delhi for the GSM services launched today (Sunday) and will take the number upward with increased necessity,” Rana said.

Asked about R-Com's promotional offers being termed as temporary measures by competitors, Rana said: “It's a myth and misnomer that these are free loaders. We get good subscribers and they will be with us because of the quality of service we promise to offer.”

"Moreover, the network of most of our competitors is congested and we assure clarity to our consumers and will work hard to satisfy them," he said.

The company has so far launched only pre-paid services and plans to launch post-paid services in two-three weeks.

R-Com reported 2.7 percent rise in its profit for the third quarter this year. The company added 5.3 million mobile users during the quarter, taking its subscription base to 61.3 million at the end of December, 50 percent up from a the year earlier.