Tata Teleservices expansion plans hit

NEW DELHI: Tata Teleservices plan to expand in the remaining three circles within the current financial year seems to have been delayed by the application of the license pending with the Department of Telecom.

The CDMA player, which is currently active in 20 circles across India had announced to expand its presence in the remaining three circles of Assam, Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir by March last year. The company is now awaiting the government’s nod -- due almost 12 months ago -- to start its operations in these circles.

“We are ready to set up the infrastructure in those three circles once we get the approval. We are yet to receive any intimation from the government,” a Tata official source said. He however, said that once they get the government approval, they would be ready to offer their services within four to six months time.

If the CDMA operator gets the approval from the Ministry, Tata will be the first CDMA operator to launch its services in Northeast and Assam circle. Reliance is offering its GSM mobile service in both these circles.

However, GSM mobile operator Hutchison Essar is also planning to launch its cellular services in the Assam circle within this fiscal after DoT cleared the operating license.

CyberMedia News has earlier reported that Hutch had started the recruitment of its employees in the Assam circle.

© CyberMedia News