RCom to take GSM route for 3G rollout

Firming up its plans to rollout 3G services in the country, Anil Ambani-controlled Reliance Communications (RCom) is planning to overlay a 3G infrastructure on its nationwide GSM network.

The company is gearing up to commence deployment of network and infrastructure and is looking at deploying HSPA+ technology that can support data speeds of upto 40 MBPS, a source close to the development told Business Standard.

HSPA or High Speed Packet Access is a collection of mobile telephony protocols that improve the performance of existing mobile technologies.

At present, two standards - HSDPA and HSUPA -  are been used, while the advanced version HSPA+ is soon to be released.

RCom is looking at using HSPA+ technologies as to enable it migrate to 4G or Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology easily. LTE can deliver up to 100 MBPS of data speeds.  When contacted an RCom spokesperson declined to comment.

However, it would be while before the company can rollout the services as the spectrum would be auctioned, according to the recently announced 3G policy.

The company is looking providing 3G services - which would provide high quality voice and data – across the top 1,000 cities and towns in the country.

RCom is looking at covering entire population residing in urban areas and around 30-35 per cent of the country's total population.  The company would also use 25,000 towers of its subsidiary Reliance Infratel to load 3G equipment and electronics.