Reliance Communications-RCom cuts 3G data rates by half

NEW DELHI, JULY 18:

Intensifying the price war in mobile data services, Reliance

Communications (RCom) on Thursday said that it has launched new data

plans that offer 3G services at 2G prices.



This follows price cuts announced by rival players, including Aircel

and Vodafone.



AT PAR WITH 2G PRICES



Subscribers can now access RCom 3G services at Rs 123 for 1 GB, Rs 246

for 2 GB and Rs 492 for 4 GB.



This is 50 per cent of existing rates and brings 3G data on a par with

2G Internet prices. RCom said it was targeting 40 per cent share of

the smartphone user market.



"The future belongs to those who have the largest share of smartphones

on their network or with smartphone makers who have the largest screen

size. We expect 40 per cent of smartphone users to be part of our

network by 2015," Gurdeep Singh, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Wireless), RCom, said.



RCom accounts for 14 per cent of the 66 million smartphone users in the country.



Analysts said that the while the rate cut is great news for users, it

could be negative for telecom companies as a fresh price war could

hurt profits.