Tata Docomo launches operations in AP

Tata Docomo, the GSM brand of Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL), launched its commercial operations in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, a few days after its launch in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Orissa and Karnataka.

Along with the GSM service, the company would also be launching Tata i-Channel in the state. One of the first products of the Japan-based NTT Docomo to be introduced in the country, Tata i-Channel would help subscribers to get latest news updates on phone.

TTSL managing director, Anil Kumar Sardana, said that the GSM mobile service would have extensive coverage in 612 towns and 1,149 villages spread across the state. Subscribers would be charged only 1 paisa per second for all voice calls across India.

“Keeping in view the century of trust associated with the House of Tata, we are launching the concept of fare being fair,” Sardana told mediapersons explaining about the ‘pay-for-what-you-use’ model introduced by the company. “You will pay exactly for what you use. There is no hidden agenda,” he added.

Sardana said that in partnership with NTT Docomo, the company would introduce more personalised products relevant to the Indian context. As a part of the agreement between TTSL and NTT Docomo, a Business and Technology Cooperation Committee was set up that was engaged in integrating technology, value added services, products and applications.

According to Sardana, the company is awaiting allotment of the required spectrum for launching its operations in Delhi. It is expecting to get this following the release of spectrum by the Defence sector in about 3-4 months.

Tata Docomo president, Deepak Gulati, said the company would work on a per-second pricing model for all services including international calls and value-added services.

Replying to a query, he said that the company was “looking for a large share” in the GSM market in the country. He said that the response to the service in the four states where it has been launched so far was “very encouraging”.

The company is expecting to rollout its GSM network across the country by October this year. It has earmarked an investment of $2 billion (about Rs 10,000 crore) for this purpose.