Processing .....please wait.. 
The article has been forwarded.... 
News >> Technology >>
Reliance to launch fixed-line phone services by August
Friday, 11 April 2003, 19:30 IST
KOLKATA: Reliance Infocomm, the telecom services arm of India's largest private business conglomerate Reliance Industries, will roll out its fixed-line phone services in different parts of the country by August.
The company's work on laying the optic fibre network across major cities in the country is nearing completion, said a Reliance Infocomm official.
"Ninety percent of the work is done and in the next four months the landline service should be on offer," added the official, who didn't want to be named.
The Reliance group has won licences to operate fixed-line telephone services in 16 telecom zones across India. The company provides cellular services in many states and local phone services in Gujarat.
Reliance's limited mobility service is already on offer but its commercial launch is slated for May 1. The company plans to make its telecom services available in 700 cities. In the first phase, it will be offered in 111 of them.
The group is in the midst of building a 60,000 km fibre-optic network, criss-crossing 115 cities and towns in an ambitious drive to become a fully integrated firm spanning telephony, Internet and entertainment.
Reliance has earmarked a staggering investment of 
250 billion to build the network.
It is also slated to pump in 7.5 billion to set up a network of more than 1,000 retail outlets that will provide one-stop solution to all telecom needs.
The retail outlets will be in place over the next few months, said the company official, adding the investment for setting up the outlets will mostly flow from internal accruals.
"We are looking for suitable space in cities. The company will directly run 30 percent of these outlets, while the rest will be operated by franchisees," the official said.
Source: IANS
250 billion to build the network.
It is also slated to pump in 7.5 billion to set up a network of more than 1,000 retail outlets that will provide one-stop solution to all telecom needs.
The retail outlets will be in place over the next few months, said the company official, adding the investment for setting up the outlets will mostly flow from internal accruals.
"We are looking for suitable space in cities. The company will directly run 30 percent of these outlets, while the rest will be operated by franchisees," the official said.
Source: IANS