Reliance communications the 4th largest operator by subscriber base which recently migrated its entire Pan India CDMA user base to 4G now seems to be in the mod of opening the upgrade route for its much larger GSM 2G/3G user base. The operator has sent out invitation messages via SMS which read to the same effect to its subscribers in Punjab circle and may soon do the same for other circles. The upgrade is applicable to Netconnect+ 3G data card users as well.
This is in line with the practice followed by incumbent operators when they upgraded their 2G/3G voice and data subscribers to the new LTE platform. Since Rcom has active and passive infrastructure sharing deal and network synergy with Jio, this could also hint at launching soon of Jio 4G commercial services as neither operator would want to lose out on the first mover advantage to the other.
Rcom whose merger talks with pure play CDMA operator MTS has come to a standstill may face further challenges if the court ruling is not in its favour, which could mean further capital expenditure in setting up its 4G network. Though the fact that it has liberalised spectrum in the 850 MHz band Pan India along with spectrum sharing deal with Jio in 21 circles will act as the silver lining. The merger deal with Aircel seems to be well on track and may conclude shortly.
Screenshot shared by Geetampreet Singh
