Reliance Communications has launched a new plan promising unlimited calling to any mobile phone on any telecom network, including STD calls, and 300 MB data for Rs 149 per month.
The Anil Ambani promoted telecom company’s offer of 300 MB of free data and unlimited talk time to attract mobile phone users to its network — has the potential to disrupt the business of Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone and Reliance Jio Infocomm.
Reliance Jio, a company promoted by Mukesh Ambani, is currently challenging Indian telecoms by offering free voice and data services and roaming services. Jio will start charging for its data services from January 1. But voice services will continue to be free for Jio users.
Since Reliance Jio is struggling to add customers to its 4G network because of the low penetration of 4G phones, the company is looking for bringing feature phones with VoLTE facilities to tap customers who are looking for voice services. Voice business generates around 70 percent of the total revenue of Indian telecom operators.
Reliance Communications said it Q2 revenue fell 4 percent to Rs 5,142 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. Q2 EBITDA fell 1 percent to Rs 1,542 crore. India revenue of RCOM at Rs 4,488 crore fell 4 percent from Rs 4,693 crore in Q1. RPM at 44.6 paisa was down 1 percent. MOU at 97.9 billion was down 2 percent. ARPU at Rs 155 was up 5 percent.
Reliance Communications said that the special offer called 149 Unlimited Plan available across the 2G, 3G and 4G technology platforms is targeted at incentivizing 2G, 3G and 4G handset owners across India.
All 2G, 3G and 4G handset owners in India can migrate to the Reliance Communications network, along with 300 MB of data usage.
“Our Unlimited Plan has the potential to trigger a paradigm shift in the way Indians recharge their mobile phones, creating a significant shift in the telecom market—as it moves away from the Unit Rate charging regime to a Single Recharge and Unlimited Usage regime,” said Gurdeep Singh, Co-CEO, Reliance Communications.
Since outgoing voice calls are unlimited and free with the new plan at Rs 149 per month, along with 300 MB of data, all customers need to recharge their accounts for his additional data requirement, if any.
Baburajan K
