RCom, RJio to help each other in telecom biz

NEW DELHI: Anil Ambani led-Reliance Communications (RCom) has extended its strategic partnership with Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of the Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries (RIL), for offering 4G services to the customers.

"We are at an advanced stage of discussion for finalising nationwide trading and sharing arrangements in the 800 – 850 MHz band. Both the companies will have reciprocal agreements for roaming by respective customers on each other’s networks,” Anil Ambani said at the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM).

He said these arrangements will help RCom customers’ to access Reliance Jio’s 4G/LTE networks on an asset-light and minimal capex model.

“Reliance Jio customers will fall back on to RCOM’s extensive 2G and 3G networks as RCOM is the only operator in India to hold 5 MHz or more of the most valuable 800 – 850 band spectrum, across the country,” he added.

Simultaneously, Reliance Jio will benefit from access to RCom's entire portfolio of 800 – 850 MHz band spectrum in all 22 circles across the country, to supplement their already considerable spectrum holdings in 800 / 850 / 1800 / 2300 MHz bands.

The company will also secure the ability to offer its customers fall back on to RCom's extensive 2G and 3G networks across the country, wherever required.

On the merger with Sistema Shyam TeleServices, it was informed that the discussions are in advanced stages through a stock swap and are expected to be finalized within the next few weeks.