Tags:CDMA | GSM | 3G

French-US equipment firm Alcatel-Lucent has formed a JV with Reliance Communications (RCOM) to offer managed-network services to domestic as well as international telecom operators. The JV, two-thirds owned by Alcatel-Lucent, is targeting revenues of around a billion dollars in the next few years.

The yet-to-be-named venture will manage CDMA and GSM networks of RCOM in a seven-year deal valued at nearly $500 million. ＾I don¨t see any reason why we can¨t be a billion dollars in the next few years,￣ Alcatel-Lucent India MD Vivek Mohan said at a press conference in Mumbai.

The operating management of the JV will be with Alcatel-Lucent. ＾We have the flexibility to modify the shareholding pattern anytime. The company will be well capitalised to drive the business effectively,￣ he added, refusing to divulge details.

RCOM head (managed network) Sandip Biswas said around 1,000 employees from RCOM will move to the new entity. ＾We will have a team size of 2000-2500 people in one-and-a-half years from now,￣ he said.

＾Right now, we are talking about captive business. Many new operators are getting in and we are hopeful that more business will flow,￣ said Mr Mohan.

RCOM has a networks operating centre in Vashi, near Mumbai, from where it will manage networks. Managed network services includes engineering, operations and maintenance of 3G, GSM, CDMA and core networks infrastructure along with the detailed design, engineering, optimisation operations as well as network monitoring, fieldwork and maintenance services.



Source:economictimes