Hyderabad: Tata Teleservices, the private basic telecom service provider for Andhra Pradesh, today announced plans to roll out their services in Karnataka by mid 2002.

The Company's roll out plans in Karnataka will be in accordance with the Short Distance Charging Areas (SDCA) obligations of the license covering almost the entire state in the first five years. The Company will not only be rolling out services in key cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore and Hubli but also other semi-urban towns such as Mandya, Shimoga, Davangere, Karwar and Gokak and rural areas like Hebre and Siddapur. Tata Teleservices will be using advanced technology aimed at facilitating quick and quality roll out. The Company also plans to use advanced CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) 3G 1X technology, demonstrating the Company's leadership position in innovations.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr S Ramakrishnan, Managing Director, Tata Teleservices, said, "We have always laid thrust on innovations and bring the benefits of the latest technology to our customers. We are heralding the convergence era in the country by investing in 3G 1X CDMA wireless technology and providing broadband services. Our network would be the prime enabler of IT services in the state and we would be partners in the progress of meeting the ambitious targets for IT exports in the state".

Operations of Tata Teleservices in the State of Karnataka is likely to create employment opportunities (direct and indirect) for over 8,000 people in the first five years across various categories including executives with professional qualifications; self-employment and indirect opportunities for semi-skilled. Investments in Karnataka during the initial roll out period are expected to be substantially high. The Company plans to invest Rs 2,000 crore over the first ten years.

Tata Teleservices had received the license in 1997 to offer basic services in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Within two years of operations, the Company has extended services to Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Vijayawada and Eluru and has over 86,000 customers. By the end of the current fiscal year, the Company would have invested Rs 1,600 crore. 

Tata Teleservices has signed licenses to operate in four circles - Karnataka, New Delhi, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu - on August 31, 2001. The Company has been allowed extension for signing of license in Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Kerala till October 31, 2001. The Company had earlier received letter of intents (LoIs) for 
15 circles in the country.

Tata Teleservices has been the pioneer among private basic telecom service providers in many ways. The Company has taken the lead in: 

• Introducing CDMA based fixed telephone connection

• Introducing CENTREX to corporates

• Launching limited mobility services using CDMA technology

• Launching post paid internet services on a regular telephone line

• Introducing Smart Card technology in Pay telephone booths. 

Background information:

Tata  Teleservices Limited is a part of the Tata Group, India's largest business house with 80 companies. Tata Group has over 260 thousand employees, with 2.7 million shareholders and has a turnover of US$ 8.8 billion.