Reliance CDMA internet shut, people await 4G

By Mayuresh Bhardwaj

Pune, May 30 : Telecom operator  Reliance Communication is in process of upgrading CDMA Network and providing consumer 4G services. 5 million CDMA consumers would be upgraded to LTE (a 4G standard technology) riding on Reliance Jio’s 4G infrastructure. Reliance Communications has entered into an agreement for 17 circles air wave sharing pact in the 800 MHz band with Reliance Jio. The company will deploy its own 4G network and use Reliance Jio’s infrastructure to delivered 4G services.

The firm has sent out formal SMSes to its consumers saying “we are upgrading CDMA network to 4G shortly. As per preferred customer, await our invention to the 4G network”. When it comes to pricing RCom will offer exclusive data rates to upgrade 4G consumers as the Anil Ambani company will keep its same tariff unchanged and one can easily enjoy 4G at 3G Data rate.

RCom wouldn’t introduce separate 4G plans till Jio’s commercial roll out but RCom 4G customers can get 4G at 3G rate the source said.

RCom has large number of Net connection users who are on CDMA and to tap them, RCom announced 4G dongles at Rs 1000 and mifi boxes at Rs 1500-2000, A different sources close to the following mobile store said, so it proves, “Rcom is keen to get back high end data users through launching dongles and mifi boxes”.

The sticker price of the device has been given as Rs 3199, but RCom is offering a discount of Rs 500 and free home delivery. However, there is some confusion about shipments.

This upgradation has been started from 4th May, the operator has allowed its CDMA subscribers to submit their existing UIM cards and obtain a new 4G sim card.
Though company has not mentioned what its existing CDMA subscribers have to do as a part of these upgradation processes. It causes some inconvenience to consumers as well.

“There is no internet since 30 + hrs”, says Ray Mehra, a local resident.

“I am facing network coverage issues from last 3 days on my reliance CDMA, I am unable to make or receive any call, totally disturbed my schedule”, added Any Rane, manager of an IT company.

“Facing serious network issues with reliance connection from 3 days, not able to call or receive any call”, Tweeted Harsh Vardhan, a graduation student.

“Our respective team is looking in to the case and we will resolve it soon,” Reliance care claims.

Note that the top three telecom operators Airtel, Vodafone and Idea have already launched their 4G network and they are promoting aggressively.  So naturally Reliance Communication doesnt want to miss out their opportunity and lose its consumers.