New Delhi, June 10: CDMA telecom operator Tata
Teleservices on Wednesday announced the launch of its services in GSM platform in partnership with Japanese firm NTT DoCoMo and said will invest USD 2 billion by this fiscal to roll out operations across the country.
The service, which would be branded `Tata-DoCoMo`, would
be commercially rolled out towards the end of this month in
the southern region, followed by western and northern regions.
NTT DoCoMo acquired 26 per cent stake in Tata Teleservices
(TTSL) for USD 2.7 billion last year.
The company would be investing USD 2 billion in the
operations, TTSL Managing Director Anil Sardana
told reporters here. This is USD 0.5 billion higher than its
earlier earmarked investment of USD 1.5 billion.
Tata DoCoMo has received licences to operate GSM telecom
services in 19 telecom circles and has also been allotted
spectrum in 18 of these circles barring Assam, North East,
Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi.
"We are eagerly awaiting spectrum for Delhi and with
reports of defence releasing some radio waves, we hope to lay
claim on the spectrum," Sardana said.
Asked whether, the Japaneses firm would increase its stake
further in TTSL, Toshinari Kuneida, Senior Vice President,
Global Business, NTT DoCoMo said the company has no plans to
raise its stake in the Indian JV.
On listing the entity, Sardana said it depends on the
shareholders. "In due course every Tata company had followed
the route and we will also follow the route."
However, he declined to share any timeline for the same.
Asked about the company`s chance of participating in the
3G auction, Sardana said, "It depends on how the actual
auction shapes up, confirmation on availability of spectrum
and the reserve price".
TTSL has become the second telecom service provider after
Reliance Communication to be providing services on both CDMA
and GSM platforms under the dual-technology policy of the
government.
He said the company is also open to bundling handsets
with connections.
Bureau Report
