Reliance Communications gets CDMA services approval

Reliance Communications Ltd has informed that the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government of India, has granted in principle approval to Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL), a wholly owed subsidiary of the Company, for providing CDMA services also under the existing Unified Access Service Licenses (UASL) granted to RTL for Assam and North East Service Areas.

This is in addition to existing GSM services provided by RTL. Accordingly, RTL will, in due course, offer CDMA services also in addition to its existing GSM services in Assam and North East Service Areas.

The Company along with RTL thus has Pan India Licence to provide both CDMA and GSM services.

Reliance Communications - UASL allotment

Reliance Communications Ltd has informed that the Ministry of Communications & IT, Government of India, has made allotment of Start up Spectrum to the Company for providing GSM services under the Unified Access Services Licenses (UASL).

This is in addition to the Company's existing CDMA services. Accordingly, the Company will, in due course, offer nation wide GSM services in addition to its existing CDMA services.

Reliance Communications - Allotment of Equity Shares on conversion of FCCBs

Reliance Communications Ltd has informed that the Allotment Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has, pursuant to requests received from the holders of Zero Coupon Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) of US$ 1,000 each, allotted 25,39,513 equity shares of Rs 5 each at a predetermined premium of Rs 475.68 per equity share on November 24, 2007.

The allotted equity shares as aforesaid shall rank pari passu in all respect with the existing equity shares of the Company and shall be entitled for full dividend, if declared for the financial year 2007-08.

Consequent upon the said allotment, the paid-up capital of the Company stands increased to 206,10,95,399 fully paid-up equity shares of Rs 5 each.

Reliance Communications - Microsoft partnership

Reliance Communications Ltd has informed that the Company and Microsoft on November 05, 2007 announced a strategic partnership to deliver a highly connected, personalized TV experience to consumers in India though Reliance's IPTV service, which will be powered by the award-winning Microsoft® Mediaroom™ Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) software platform. The announcement was made by Anil D Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Communications, and Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, at a press event on November 05, 2007 in Mumbai, India. Reliance Communications shall have the exclusive deployment right for the platform in India.

Reliance's IPTV service, powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom platform, will allow Reliance to deliver entirely new, connected and personalized television experiences for Indian consumers, with several advanced features, such as video-on-demand (VOD), digital video recording (DVR), instant channel changing, and personal media sharing. IPTV subscribers will be able to watch popular standard definition (SD) content as well as high definition (HD) content - for the first time in India - at the click of a button from the comfort of their homes, and enjoy a connected entertainment experience that will soon allow them to watch their favorite shows on their TV or PC. The service will be launched by fiscal end (March 2008).

"As consumers today are becoming more sophisticated, they are demanding more compelling and personalized entertainment to suit their individual needs and preferences," said Anil D Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Communications. "Until now, TV has been a broadcast, 'one-size-fits-all' experience. Backed by powerful Microsoft Mediaroom software, IPTV promises to offer our subscribers more choice, control, and convenience, and at the end of the day, a unique and more satisfying user experience. We're excited to partner with Microsoft to unlock the potential of television and offer Indian subscribers the very best TV and connected entertainment experiences."

The IPTV service will also target an area of great degree of ambiguity as far as TV content and advertising goes, in India. There is, at present, no clear indication of how much of the content and advertising is really reaching the target audience and what the returns for the spends are. A two-way interactive medium can rectify this.

"Reliance Communications is well poised to leverage its next-gen optical fiber network to unleash the 'Connected Digital Home' phenomena", said Prakash Bajpai, President of Home and Enterprise Business at RCOM. "This revolutionary new IPTV will give viewers complete control on Home entertainment as well as Internet-enabled information and communication services on as 'always ON' basis."

Reliance Communications - Reliance Big TV becomes subsidiary

Reliance Communications Ltd has informed that in line of the Company's objective to maximise the stakeholders' value, Reliance Big TV Pvt Ltd, which has license to provide Direct To Home (DTH) services, has became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

Reliance Communications Q2FY07 Results

Reliance Communications Ltd has announced the following Unaudited results for the quarter ended September 30, 2007:

The Company has posted a profit after tax of Rs 8012.40 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 as compared to Rs 4617.20 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. Total Income has increased from Rs 28387.20 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 to Rs 33292.10 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

The Consolidated results are as follows:

The Group has posted a profit after tax (after adjustment of Minority Interest & Associates) of Rs 13045.70 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 as compared to Rs 7023.40 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. Total Income has increased from Rs 35259.80 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 to Rs 45785.30 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Reliance Communications FCCB

Reliance Communications Ltd has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has, pursuant to requests received from the holders of Zero Coupon Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) of US$ 1,000 each, allotted on October 23, 2007, 2,21,096 equity shares of Rs 5 each at a predetermined premium of Rs 475.68 per equity share.

The allotted equity shares as aforesaid shall rank pari passu in all respect with the existing equity shares of the Company and shall be entitled for full dividend, if declared for the financial year 2007-08.

Consequent upon the said allotment, the paid-up capital of the Company stands increased to 204,54,75,186 fully paid-up equity shares of Rs 5 each

Reliance Communications to launch nationwide GSM Services

Reliance Communications Ltd has announced that the Company welcomes the DoT's new initiatives towards ensuring further acceleration of tele-density in India and in creating a level playing field.

The acceptance by the DoT of TRAI's recommendation of the enhanced subscriber linked criteria for spectrum allocation will ensure the much needed spectral efficiency and a greater competitive environment. This will facilitate meeting the telecom objectives of the country of attaining 500 Million customers by 2010.

The Unified Access Service Licenses are technology neutral and the grant of approval to Reliance Communications for offering nationwide GSM services reaffirms our stand. Reliance Communications would shortly commence its GSM operations on a Pan India basis in addition to existing CDMA services.

The Company has today made a payment of the requisite fee of Rs 1651 Crore for this initiative. As per DoT's media release, the Company will be considered for allocation of GSM spectrum from October 19, 2007 i.e. the date of payment of the prescribed fee.

Reliance Communications commenced its mobile operations in May 2003. Its entry led to affordable services for the Indian consumers and manifold growth in telecom penetration in the country. Today, it serves over 38 Million Indian and global subscribers with 18% wireless market share. It has embarked on a major network coverage plan for 2007-08 and will extend mobile coverage to over 23000 towns and 6 lakh villages, thereby providing mobile coverage to over 90% of India's population.

Reliance Communications gets GSM approval

Reliance Communications Ltd has informed that the Company has received requisite approvals from the Department of Telecommunications to offer GSM services on a nation wide basis under its existing Unified Access Service Licenses.

Reliance Communications issues FCCBs

Reliance Communications Ltd has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has, pursuant to requests received from the holders of Zero Coupon Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) of US$ 1,000 each, allotted on October 18, 2007, 6,39,100 equity shares of Rs 5 each at a predetermined premium of Rs 475.68 per equity share.

The allotted equity shares as aforesaid shall rank pari passu in all respect with the existing equity shares of the Company and shall be entitled for full dividend, if declared for the financial year 2007-08.

Consequent upon the said allotment, the paid-up capital of the Company stands increased to 204,52,54,090 fully paid-up equity shares of Rs 5 each.

CLSA - Reliance Communications

CLSA has a OUTPERFORM on Reliance Communications

They have a target price of Rs 627

New TRAI framework to benefit Reliance Communications

Attractive play in Mobile growth in India