Reliance Infocomm is all set to roll out its fixed-line services in April 2003, a few months after its proposed launch of limited mobile services on December 28.
Reliance Infocomm, which has about 18 licences for basic services, plans to wire up around 1.2-1.8 crore (12-18 million) households across the country at the time of the launch.
Industry sources say the company has already opened dialogues with owners of buildings, managing committees, builders and even contractors to lay the optic fibre network.
This is in addition to the company's strategy of providing high-speed connections through optic fibre cable to important commercial centers across the country.
The initiative makes Reliance the first operator to target households and retail customers in a big way.
The project 'information superhighway' has briefed managing committees of the buildings on the benefits of the optic fibre cable and the bouquet of services proposed to be offered by the company, in addition to fixed-line services.
The company has already laid about 60,000 km of optic fibre cables across the country. When contacted, a Reliance Infocomm spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.
The spokesperson, however, said the company would disclose all its plans on December 28.
Industry sources claim the company is identifying internet-savvy, high net worth customers to offer its services.
Reliance Infocomm aims to wire-up anywhere between 10-12 lakh (1.0-1.2 million) building premises across the country.
Considering at least 10 households are connected in one building, the company expects that at least 12 million households will be wired up at launch itself.
"Of course, we expect the company to include corporates under the information superhighway as well. This which will add a other 5 million customers in the metros," according to analysts.
Besides fixed-line services, the company aims to bundle value-added services such as voice, Internet and broadband services on each line.
Various financial schemes to suit the purse of masses are also being worked out by the company.
Reliance Capital will help the WiLL customer with the cost of the handsets as well as the rentals and airtime cost.
Reliance Infocomm has also roped in ICICI and HDFC for financial package.
Besides, the company also plans to offer three financial packages from which the customers can pick and choose - upfront payment of Rs 14,400 for three years which will include an airtime tariff of 20 paise per minute, the second option of Rs 240 per month rentals which will levy outgoing calls at 40 paise per minute and third option being a Rs 500 per month (Rs 240 rentals with an airtime of Rs 260).
© 2025