Infocomm plans J&K operations from Aug 15

Reliance Infocomm Ltd has commenced work on setting up its telecom network in Jammu and Kashmir, while the private telephony major is all set to commission its operations in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The company, which recently received regulatory approvals for setting up its CDMA network in J & K, is planning to connect 125 towns and cities in the state and expects to commence operations by August 15, 2005, Reliance Infocomm sources told PTI on Monday.

The network in the state would bank on the company's 80,000 km Optical Fibre Cable terra bit cable system, which now spans from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, while the company would also employ satellite technology to reach to "difficult terrains" in the state, they said.

Reliance Infocomm intends to offer Code Division Multiple Access-based (CDMA 2000 1x) technology to offer wireless and fixed line telephone connectivity in J&K, they said.

"The Reliance group company would be the first private operator to offer services in the terrorism affected state, and the network is expected to help in maintaining law and order and restoring peace, as communication is one of the major issues confronting the state," they said.

The setting up of the communications network would also help in giving boost to tourism and the economic reconstruction of the state, they added.