Reliance to launch GSM service in Kolkata

Test signal is available on handsets in kolkata

This would bring into direct competition with Reliance Infocomm, the CDMA-technology-based mobile service company run by brother Mukesh Ambani.

GSM mobile phone users in Kolkata have been receiving the signal from the Reliance network for some time now at many locations in the city.

Telecom sector sources said RTL was setting up infrastructure for launch of its service and had given 750 connections for test operations.

Reliance acquired the Kolkata city GSM licence in 2001 through a company called Reliance Internet Services but had not tried to introduce the service in the city till now.

It had allowed Reliance Infocomm, a later entrant, to introduce its CDMA-based service in Kolkata with a bang in 2003.

An RTL official admitted the company had started working in the city but refused to divulge anything further.

"I do not know anything about operations," the official said.

Telecom sources said RTL had already set up 175 base stations in the city a proper network in Kolkata would require at least 265 base stations as it was the largest city circle in the country spread over 2000 sq km.

"Reliance is now installing GSM base stations in Kolkata, most being near Reliance Infocomm sites," said sources.

The Reliance GSM network would require investment of around Rs 80-90 crore for infrastructure.

Sources indicated around Rs 60 crore had already been invested in infrastructure.

"Reliance GSM is doing test runs in some areas for a launch in 2-3 months," sources said.

At present, Kolkata had three GSM operators "" Bharti, Hutchison Telecom and BSNL.

"Reliance is building a solid GSM infrastructure backbone and so it is concentrating on test runs," added sources.

The Reliance GSM business in the West Bengal circle excluding Kolkata had customer base of 1.50 lakh or so.

Kolkata has a GSM subscriber base of around 15 lakh.