Mumbai
May 13, 2008

Reliance Communications and Alcatel-Lucent announced forming a global joint venture (JV). The JV company would foray in the $16 billion (Rs 64,000 crore) managed network services industry and will cater to telecom operators, both CDMA and GSM, across the globe. Initially the JV will provide managed services for Reliance Communications nationwide CDMA and GSM networks in India.

The JV will support the expansion and growth of Reliance Communications, within and outside India, bringing predictability of the operations and related expenses, while maintaining the standards of customer experience.

“Alcatel-Lucent is committed to partner Reliance in its goals to further increase its market leadership position by helping them heighten their customer satisfaction and business capitalization through enhancing value by operating, maintaining and running complex projects in a changing environment,” said Andy Williams, President-Services Business, Alcatel-Lucent.

Sandip Biswas, Head-Managed Network, Reliance Communications said, “Reliance Communications and Alcatel-Lucent aim to offer a diverse bouquet of Managed Network Service offerings for telecom service providers. We have complete confidence in Alcatel Lucent's deployment capabilities, local competencies and strong local technical support team, which along with Reliance Communications, would play a key role towards the success of this venture.”

A new legal entity is being formed as part of the JV. Alcatel-Lucent will have the operational control of the new entity. Reliance Communications is represented in the JV through its wholly own subsidiary. The JV would thereafter expand its operations in the global arena.

“We will build on Alcatel-Lucent's existing operational and multi-vendor capabilities in India to drive this innovative business model which is a unique partnership between a leading service provider and a leading vendor in the telecom space,” said Vivek Mohan, MD, Alcatel-Lucent India Regional Unit.

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