Kolkata: Come December 12 and about a million 2G subscribers of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications across West Bengal, Bihar and Assam will have to opt for other networks in their respective circles. The country's fourth largest carrier has decided to discontinue its 2G services in the three states from December 12, when its 900 MHz spectrum holdings in the three states expire. RCom failed to win back 2G airwaves in these circles in the March 2015 auction.
In a communication sent out through text messages, RCom has asked about a million of its 2G subscribers to port out to other networks before December 12 for continued coverage. The remaining 17 million of the telco's users in these circles have already upgraded to its 3G network in these markets, sources said.
The move is expected to help the Anil Ambani-led telco tide over potential 2G coverage challenges in these markets. Post-December 12, RCom has inked an intra-circle roaming (ICR) pact with Vodafone India, India's second largest carrier, for 2G and 3G coverage in all three circles.
RCom has 3G airwaves in West Bengal, Bihar and Assam and had urged its 2G customers on November 12 to upgrade to 3G as part of the company's full-fledged focus on data services in these markets. Under licence conditions, RCom needs to notify the government and customers about 60 days and 30 days in advance regarding its business continuity plans, post-expiry of its 2G airwaves in these circles.
RCom has also given its 2G customers a "port-out option" in pockets of West Bengal, Assam and Bihar where its ICR partners may not have 2G coverage. The country's fourth largest carrier has also sent feelers that it will shortly roll out 4G LTE services in these circles, in a bid to hold on to its customers.
