RCom appoints 3G Biz Head; plans 3G Innovation Lab

Private telecom services provider Reliance Communications (RCom) today said it has appointed Prashant Gokarn as the Head for its 3G Business operations.

The company had won 3G spectrum in 13 circles, including the metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

Prashant would report to Syed Safawi, President and CEO Wireless Business. Gokarn would also be a member of RCom's wireless management board, the company said in a statement.

RCom has also roped in Google's former Head of wireless business Suresh Jayaraju as Head-New Age value added services (VAS).

As part of its 3G readiness plan, RCom has established a fully-integrated 3G Innovation Lab with end-to-end wireless network infrastructure.

The objective of the Innovation Lab is to provide its world class infrastructure capabilities and the 3G Innovation Lab platform to various partners to jointly develop applications for consumers.

According to sources, RCom is planning to rope in strategic partners for its infrastructure and technology innovation unit for 3G mobile business, and is in discussions with global players like Motorola and HP.

Sources said that discussions are also being held with likes of Intel and Sony.

Other players, with whom the discussions are being held include global technology players such as Red Hat, SNAPin Software, weComm, Rubberduck Media Lab and Skyfire Labs.