The Hindu Business Line : Tata Docomo services launched in Karnataka

Bangalore July 9 Tata Teleservices Ltd launched its GSM (global system for mobile communication) services brand Tata Docomo in Karnataka on Thursday and expects to cover the entire South India next week.

Karnataka is the fourth circle after Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Orissa, where Tata Docomo has rolled-out its services. The company has earmarked about $2 billion for the pan-India GSM network roll-out to be completed by October-end, said Mr Anil Sardana, Managing Director of Tata Teleservices.

In Karnataka, Tata Docomo is investing $150 million and its network covers some 425 towns and 2,700 villages including the highway and rail network, airports and places of tourist interest, Mr Sardana said.

Tata Docomo is offering GSM services on the pay-by-use model with a pulse of one second and tariff of one-paise/second, unlike other operators who bill/minute.

Stating that the company has already received a good response in circles where the services have already been launched, Mr Sardana said subscribers can call anywhere in India for just one paise/second. “There will not be any rentals or deposits or any other hidden charges,” he added.

Tata Docomo is offering both pre-paid and post-paid services.

The company said it would introduce low, mid and high range devices that would suits categories of users. It is also committed to bring Docomo’s value-added services to India, including the GPRS-based i-channel, which would provide news tickers on mobile screen as well as location based and mobile payment services. Further, Mr Sardana said that NTT Docomo could set up a research and development centre in India.

Tata Tele currently offers CDMA services under the Tata Indicom brand. When asked if the Tata Tele would exit the CDMA segment and focus more on GSM services, Mr Sardana said the company would continue to grow the CDMA business and add new services.

According to Cellular Operators Association of India, the total subscriber base as of May 2009 exceeded 306 million, of which Karnataka had 18.6 million. Tata Docomo, the latest entrant, would be the tenth operator in the State after Bharti, Vodafone and BSNL among others.

More Stories on : Telecommunications | Karnataka

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page