Ambani: Reason to cheer

Mumbai, Oct. 19: Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications (R-Com) has received the department of telecom’s (DoT) approval to launch nationwide GSM services.

R-Com now offers CDMA services in 20 circles and GSM in eight circles.

R-Com has been allowed to offer the new services under the DoT’s existing unified access service licence.

The DoT permission, therefore, fulfils Ambani’s vision of offering both GSM and CDMA services to the subscriber. More than a year ago, Ambani had said there would be an enhanced focus on GSM, even as the company would remain “technology neutral’’.

As part of the GSM focus, he had also expressed interest in acquiring Hutchison Essar, which was later taken over by the Vodafone group.

Analysts said though R-Com will be entering a crowded arena, the GSM roll-out is likely be fast paced as its towers are already in place.

Sources close to the company said the launch of nationwide GSM services would not shift the focus away from CDMA. In July, R-Com strengthened its ties with Qualcomm Inc, the CDMA technology provider.