Reliance Industries is evaluating the possibility of investing in technologies other than Long Term Evolution (LTE) in a bid to offer comprehensive broadband services. The new technologies being looked at include wireline and other wireless technologies.
“In addition to LTE and its future versions, Reliance will continue to evaluate and deploy other technologies, both wireless and wireline, to offer comprehensive broadband solutions to consumers, small businesses, enterprises, government and other entities,” RIL said in its annual report.
The company said that it will collaborate with strategic partners, including service providers, infrastructure providers, device makers to deliver services.
In addition, Reliance plans to leverage its broadband network to support the requirements of homeland security applications. “The traditional security platforms have been found inadequate to address the new challenges associated with global terrorism and there is need to support the efforts of our law enforcement agencies with intelligent and real time electronic and digital solutions,” RIL said.
“Reliance is working with global partners to bring state-of the-art homeland security solutions to the Indian market,” it added.
RIL had acquired 95 per cent stake in Infotel Broadband Services in 2010 after it had won broadband spectrum in all the 22 circles. Initially, RIL plans to use LTE technology to offer broadband services on this network. RIL said that while there many operators investing in creating a broadband network, it will focus on making available all the components of the entire digital value chain. This value chain comprises of devices, relevant local content, customer support and network. “Globally, many operators have focussed primarily on the creation of the broadband network. However, Reliance will focus on making available all the components of the entire digital value chain,” RIL said in its annual report.
It is not clear as to when the company plans to launch LTE-based 4G services. RIL said the global ecosystem is developing rapidly with 50 networks based on LTE technology already in commercial stage. “LTE capable devices are rapidly developing to meet current and further needs of operators and their customers. There are over 200 LTE devices launched globally, addressing a variety of market segment and needs,” the company said.