By IANS
New Delhi : Reliance Communications (RCOM), one of India's leading private mobile service operators, Wednesday announced award of a $400 million contract to France-based telecommunications solutions major Alcatel-Lucent for expansion of its CDMA and GSM network that will take its reach to more than 20,000 towns and 600,000 villages.
The contract is regarded to be the world's largest telecom expansions undertaken by a telecom operator.
"In our endeavour to build a best-in-class infrastructure in the country, offering better overall performance and a higher quality of service to many million Indians, our wireless network will cater to customers across 20,000 towns and 600,000 villages upon completion of the current phase of expansion," Anil Ambani, chairman, RCOM, said in a statement.
"The expansion of our wireless CDMA and GSM network would further enhance our competitive edge in effectively participating in the achievement of our national tele-density targets of 500 million by 2010, thereby contributing to economic growth," Ambani added.
Alcatel-Lucent will also provide a comprehensive suite of network integration services, including network optimisation, system support and general project management.
This project substantially strengthens Alcatel-Lucent's position in the Indian mobile market and extends the range of wireless solutions that Alcatel-Lucent provides to RCOM.
"The expansion of the Reliance network, particularly in rural areas, will help improve the lives of millions in India, and is further evidence of our commitment to meeting the communications needs of high-growth economies," said Patricia Russo, CEO, Alcatel-Lucent.