Reliance Jio signs tower sharing agreement with GTL Infra

MUMBAI: Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (Reliance Jio), the telecommunications arm of Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on Thursday announced tower sharing agreements with GTL Infrastructure Limited (GTL Infra), a Global group enterprise, engaged in the business of shared passive telecom infrastructure in India.
Reliance Jio, the only pan India operator with BWA spectrum preparing to launch 4G services, under the master services agreement will get access to over 27,800 towers spread across 22 telecom circles in India, that is owned and operated by GTL Infra, together with Chennai Network Infrastructure Limited (CNIL).
Sanjay Mashruwala, managing director, Reliance said, “Our mission is to launch a pan India next-generation voice and data services. We will build the same through a judicious combination of own build and rented infrastructure. This agreement with GTL Infra is not only a step in that direction but will also help us accelerate our roll out.”
The company has a pan India tower portfolio that is balanced across key growth regions of Metros and B & C class circles and serves all major telcom operators.
Commenting on the tie up, Charudatta Naik, Group CEO, Global Group said “We are happy to be partnering with a leading 4G player like Reliance Jio. The launch of 4G networks and the rise in the consumption of data services is a growth driver for tower companies, and we at GTL Infra are geared up to capture the opportunity. Our portfolio will play an important role in rolling out broadband networks especially in regions like North East, and South where we hold a leadership position.”