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	{{Infobox company		{{Infobox company
	\| name = Reliance Communications Limited		\| name = Reliance Communications Limited
	\| logo = ~~[[File:Reliance_Communications_Logo.svg\|250px]]~~		\| logo =
	\| type = [[Public company\|Public]]		\| type = [[Public company\|Public]]
	\| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list		\| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list

->BattyBot: /* {{anchor|Attempted merger of wireless business with Aircel}}Attempted merger with Aircel */Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes

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{{anchor|Attempted merger of wireless business with Aircel}}Attempted merger with Aircel: Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes

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{{short description|Indian telecommunications company}}
{{Distinguish|Reliance Jio}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Reliance Communications Limited
| logo = [[File:Reliance_Communications_Logo.svg|250px]]
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list
| {{NSE|RCOM}}
| {{BSE|532712}}
}}
| ISIN = INE330H01018
| founder = [[Anil Ambani]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{Unbulleted_list|[[Anil Ambani]] {{small|(Chairman)}}|Bill Barney {{small|(Co-CEO)}}|Manikantan Viswanathnan {{small|(CFO)}}|Prakash Shenoy {{small|(Company Secretary)}}}}
| products = {{Bulleted_list
| [[Mobile Telephony]]
| [[Wireless Internet]]
| [[Digital Television]]
}}
| industry = [[Telecommunication]]
| fate = Bankruptcy ([[Mobile Telephony|Mobile Network Division]])
| services = {{Bulleted_list
| Internet Services
| Network Services
| Cloud Networking
| Data Center Services
| Enterprise Voice
| Cloud Telephony
| Collaboration Services
| Wholesale Voice
| Value Added Services (VAS)
}}
| revenue = {{loss}} ₹40.15 billion<ref name="RCOM">{{cite web|url=https://rcom.co.in/download/conso-se-q1-19-20/|title=Investor Relations – Financial Results|website=Reliance Communications|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
| revenue_year = 2019
| profit = {{loss}} ₹8.67 billion
| profit_year = 2019
| members = 9,479<ref name="TRAI">{{Cite web|url=https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.37of2021.pdf|title=Press Release on Telecom Subscription Data as on 31st October, 2020|website=www.trai.gov.in|date=20 February 2019}}</ref> (June 2021)
| num_employees = 3,038 including 1,819 permanent employees
| num_employees_year = 2018
| parent = [[Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group|Reliance ADAG]]
| owners =
| divisions = {{Unbulleted list
| [[Mobile Telephony|Mobile Network]]
| [[Internet Services|Internet]]
| [[Television]]
| [[Business|Enterprise]]
}}
| subsid = {{Unbulleted list
| [[Global Cloud Xchange]] [[Digicable]]
}}
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.rcom.co.in}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|15 July 2004||}}
| hq_location = [[DAKC]]
| hq_location_city = [[Navi Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
| hq_location_country = [[India]]
}}
'''Reliance Communications Limited''' ('''RCOM''') was an Indian mobile network provider headquartered in [[Navi Mumbai]] that offered voice and [[2G]] and [[3G]] data services.
In February 2019, the company filed for bankruptcy as it was unable to sell assets to repay its debt.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Siddiqui |first1=Danish |title=RCom goes to bankruptcy court to resolve debt burden |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/rcom-debt/rcom-goes-to-bankruptcy-court-to-resolve-debt-burden-idINKCN1PQ4WT |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Reuters |date=1 February 2019}}</ref> It has an estimated debt of {{INR|50,000 crore}} against assets worth {{INR|18,000 crore}}.<ref>{{cite news|last1=ET Bureau|title=RCom to move NCLT to offload assets, repay debt |url=https://m.economictimes.com/industry/telecom/anil-ambani-cant-find-a-fix-for-rcom-files-for-bankruptcy/articleshow/67798419.cms|access-date=28 February 2019|work=The Economic Times|date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

As of March 2020, the company reworked its strategy and continues to operate [[4G]] data services, fixed-line communications, data center services, and [[enterprise solutions]] as well as [[Subsea (technology)|subsea cable networks]] under the banner name, "[[Global Cloud Xchange]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalcloudxchange.com|title=GCX|website=Global Cloud Xchange|language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>

==History==
Reliance Communications was founded in India on 15 July 2004 as Reliance Infocomm Limited<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2002/dec/27ril1.htm | title=Reliance set to revolutionise mobile services | publisher=Rediff | date=27 December 2002 | access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> with the introduction of its nationwide [[CDMA2000]] service. It became Reliance Communications Limited in 2006.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7372777]</ref> The company introduced its [[GSM]] service in 2008. It began using [[MIMO]] technology in 2011 to improve the quality of its 3G service, providing a data rate of up to 28 Mbit/s.<ref>[42 Mbps]</ref>

In the 2010 [[spectrum auction]], Reliance obtained licenses for 3G spectrum in three cities at a total licensing fee of {{INR}} 58,642.9 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/14/stories/2010121464882200.htm|title=RCom launches 3G services in 3 cities|date=14 December 2010|location=Chennai, India|access-date=8 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217164602/http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/14/stories/2010121464882200.htm|archive-date=17 December 2010|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> The company reduced the price of its 3G service by 61 percent in May 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-25/telecom/31888985_1_rcom-s-3g-high-speed-internet-usage-rcom-s-group|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126081727/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-25/telecom/31888985_1_rcom-s-3g-high-speed-internet-usage-rcom-s-group|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 January 2013|title=RCom slashes 3G tariff by 61%|date=25 May 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=25 May 2012}}</ref>

Reliance and [[Lenovo]] introduced their co-branded [[Android (operating system)|Android]] smartphones in India in 2013.<ref name="Lenovo">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/rcom-partners-lenovo-to-launch-sub-rs-8000-smartphone/article23095401.ece|title=RCom partners Lenovo to launch sub-Rs 8,000 smartphone|date=31 January 2013|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528175822/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/rcom-partners-lenovo-to-launch-sub-rs-8000-smartphone/article23095401.ece|archive-date=28 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The company ended its CDMA operations in 2016, and migrated its subscribers to its GSM and [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] networks by September the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://telecomtalk.info/reliance-cdma-4g-upgrade/151437|title=RCom kicks off migration process; to upgrade CDMA subscribers to 4G LTE network|publisher=Telecom Talk|date=2016-04-02|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://profit.ndtv.com/news/earnings/article-reliance-communications-posts-nearly-6-rise-in-q1-profit-1458755|title=Reliance Communications Posts Nearly 6% Rise in Q1 Profit|publisher=NDTV|access-date=2016-09-14}}</ref>

=== Acquisition of MTS India and Digicable ===
On 1 July 2010, The board of Reliance Communications confirmed about the acquisition of [[Digicable]] India's largest cable network in all-stock deal. The new entity named as Reliance Digicom. Which will integrate RCOM's [[DTH tv]], [[IPTV]] and Retail Broadband Operations with [[Digicable]]<ref>{{Cite news |title= RCOM acquires Digicable in all-stock deal |date= 1 July 2010 |url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-01/india-business/28295073_1_digicable-telecom-tower-business-broadband |archive-url= https://archive.today/20131008004201/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-01/india-business/28295073_1_digicable-telecom-tower-business-broadband |url-status= dead |archive-date= 8 October 2013 |work= [[The Times of India]] |access-date= 6 October 2013 }}</ref>

On 14 January 2016, Reliance Communications announced that it had acquired Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL, operating as MTS India) in an all-stock deal. SSTL received a 10 per cent stake in Reliance Communications after repaying its existing debt. Reliance Communications would assume responsibility for instalments that MTS owed the government for spectrum purchases, amounting to {{INR}} 392 [[crore]] every year for 10 years. As a result of the deal, Reliance acquired MTS India's subscribers and SSTL's spectrum in the 850 MHz band.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/telecom/reliance-communications-acquires-sistemas-india-unit-in-all-stock-deal/story/225554.html|title=Reliance Communications acquires Sistema's MTS India in all-stock deal|publisher=Business Today|access-date=2016-09-06}}</ref>

India's antitrust regulator, the [[Competition Commission of India]] (CCI) approved the merger in February 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/reliance-communications-gets-cci-approval-to-acquire-mts-805292|title=Reliance Communications gets CCI approval to acquire MTS|publisher=NDTV|access-date=2016-09-06}}</ref> The [[Securities and Exchange Board of India]] (SEBI) also cleared the deal. SSTL shareholders approved the merger on 18 March 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2016-03-18/news/71630719_1_shyam-group-sistema-shyam-teleservices-sstl-spokesperson|title=Sistema Shyam shareholders approve merger with Reliance Communications|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2016-09-06}}</ref> By mid-August, it was approved by tax authorities and the shareholders and creditors of Reliance and SSTL.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/dots-approval-for-sstl-rcom-merger-likely-in-q4-sistema/articleshow/53940858.cms|title=DoT's approval for SSTL-RCOM merger likely in Q4: Sistema|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2016-09-06}}</ref> The merger was approved by the [[Rajasthan High Court]] on 30 September 2016<ref>{{cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|title=RCom gets Rajasthan HC approval for Sistema acquisition|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rcom-gets-rajasthan-hc-approval-for-sistema-acquisition-116093001087_1.html|work=Business Standard|access-date=1 October 2016|date=30 September 2016}}</ref> and the Bombay High Court on 7 October 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/reliance-communication-gets-bombay-hc-approval-for-sistema-acquisition/articleshow/54739451.cms|title=Reliance Communication gets Bombay HC approval for Sistema acquisition|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2016-10-08}}</ref> In April 2017, Reliance laid off 600 employees in preparation for its mergers with MTS and Aircel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pink slips for 600 as Reliance Communications trims fat|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/pink-slips-for-600-as-reliance-communications-trims-fat/articleshow/58070911.cms|work=The Economic Times|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref>
The [[Department of Telecommunications]] gave the final approval for the merger on 20 October 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Telecom department approves RCom-MTS merger|url=https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/telecom-department-approves-rcom-mts-merger/61182496|work= The Economic Times|access-date=18 November 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/rcom-sistema-shyam-merger-gets-dot-approval/articleshow/61187148.cms|title=RCom-Sistema Shyam merger gets DoT approval|date=2017-10-23|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref> On 31 October 2017, Reliance Communications announced that the merger was complete.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reliance Communications Completes Merger With MTS|url=http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-1769486|publisher=NDTV|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Reliance Communications completes merger with MTS|url=http://zeenews.india.com/companies/reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-2053315.html|publisher=Zee News|access-date=18 November 2017|language=en|date=31 October 2017}}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Attempted merger of wireless business with Aircel}}Attempted merger with Aircel ===
In September 2016, Reliance Communications announced Aircel had agreed to a merger.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/RCom-Aircel-announce-merger-create-fourth-largest-telco-in-India/articleshow/54331909.cms |title=RCom, Aircel announce merger; create fourth largest telco in India |work=The Times of India |date= 14 September 2016 |access-date= 6 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/reliance-communications-aircel-announce-merger-in-largestever-consolidation-deal-in-indian-telecom-sector/article9107868.ece|title=RCom-Aircel merger a strong challenger to Idea Cellular|last=Pandey|first=Piyush|date=2016-09-14|work=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-09-14}}</ref>

The company announced on 15 March 2017 the [[Securities and Exchange Board of India]], [[Bombay Stock Exchange]], and [[National Stock Exchange of India]] approved the merger.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reliance Communications Gets SEBI, Exchanges Nod For Aircel Merger|url=http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-sebi-bse-nse-approve-rcom-aircel-deal-1669707|publisher=NDTV|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|agency=Press Trust of India|title=Reliance Communications gets Sebi nod for merger with Aircel|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/reliance-comunications-gets-sebi-nod-for-merger-with-aircel-117031500312_1.html|publisher=Business Standard India|access-date=20 March 2017|date=15 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=RCom-Aircel merger gets SEBI nod|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/rcomaircel-merger-gets-sebi-nod/article9584844.ece|publisher=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=20 March 2017|language=en|date=15 March 2017}}</ref> The deal was approved by the CCI on 20 March.<ref>{{cite web|title=RCOM gets CCI approval for Aircel merger|url =http://www.india.com/news/agencies/rcom-gets-cci-approval-for-aircel-merger-1942342|agency=IANS|publisher=India.com| access-date=20 March 2017|language=en|date=20 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lead|first1=Telecom|title=RCOM-Aircel merger deal gets CCI approval|url=http://www.telecomlead.com/telecom-services/rcom-aircel-merger-deal-gets-cci-approval-75445|website=Telecom Lead|access-date=20 March 2017|date=20 March 2017}}</ref> Aircel and Reliance shareholders approved the merger on 22 and 24 April 2017, respectively,<ref>{{cite web|title=Anil Ambani-driven RCom, Aircel shareholders approve merger – ET Telecom|url=http://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/rcom-aircel-shareholders-approve-merger/58340487|website =ETTelecom.com |access-date =5 May 2017|language=en}}</ref> and it was expected to be completed by mid-2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=RCom says Aircel merger to be completed by 2017 middle, MTS merger by March|url=https://telecomtalk.info/rcom-says-aircel-merger-to-be-completed-by-2017-middle-mts-merger-by-march/160647/|website=Telecom Talk|access-date=15 February 2017}}</ref>

However, on 1 October, Reliance allowed the merger agreement to lapse.<ref>{{cite news|title=RCom abandons mobile business merger with rival Aircel|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1254e56e-a6c4-11e7-ab55-27219df83c97|work=Financial Times|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> The deal, which was expected to help the company repay {{INR}} 25,000 crore of debt, was cancelled due to delays by entrenched competition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/rcom-calls-off-aircel-merger-blames-legal-uncertainties-policy-directives-for-delay/articleshow/60901981.cms|title=RCom calls off Aircel merger; blames legal uncertainties, policy directives for delay|last=Sengupta|first=Devina|date=2017-10-02|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-10-02}}</ref> Reliance was looking at other options to meet their obligations under the SDR agreement and avoid insolvency proceedings by banks.<ref>{{Cite news|url= http://www.livemint.com/Companies/KFJtF12XeiAnLmVd0YPhyO/RCom-readies-for-fire-sale-of-its-assets-to-pare-debt-as-Ai.html|title=RCom readies for fire sale of its assets to pare debt, as Aircel merger fails|last=Raj|first=Amrit|date=2017-10-03|work=Livemint|access-date=2017-10-02}}</ref> Due to the failed Aircel merger, the company announced to employees in the wireless and [[DTH tv|DTH]] businesses on 25 October 2017 that they would be redundant effective 30 November. On 29 December 2017, Reliance discontinued voice services in India and provided only 4G data service.

=== The Ericsson case ===
In 2013, RCom signed a multi-year managed services agreement (MSA) with [[Ericsson]] to manage services of wireline and wireless network of 100,000 km of fiber and mobile infrastructure in 11 telecom circles in India. This arrangement was a smooth business relationship until 2016, post which RCom struggled to pay the dues. This has been seen as an impact of [[Jio|Reliance Jio]] that disrupted the Indian telecom industry with its aggressive pricing after its commercial launch in September 2016 that affected all leading telecom players.

By September 2017, Ericsson terminated the MSA and approached the [[National Company Law Tribunal|NCLT]] to recover dues of Rs 1100 crores.<ref>[https://www.theweek.in/theweek/business/2019/03/15/trouble-call.html]</ref> By May 2018, the NCLT initiated insolvency proceedings even as RCom tried to sell spectrum and other assets. At the same time, RComm reached out to Ericsson and agreed to pay Rs 550 crore as a settlement with a personal guarantee from Anil Ambani on the condition of withdrawal of insolvency proceedings. The Supreme Court reviewed the matter in August 2018 and ordered RComm to pay up Rs 550 crore to Ericsson by 30 September. RCom failed to comply with the payment and sought an extension of 60 days to comply. Ericsson filed a contempt petition in [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme court]].

In February 2019, the Supreme court has held [[Anil Ambani]] and three others guilty of contempt of court and directed them to make payments by 19 March. In the meantime, [[Mukesh Ambani]], the elder brother of Anil helped him with a bailout of 463 crores which he paid just a day before the deadline on 18 March.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/a-timeline-of-reliance-communications-versus-ericsson-case-3661261.html|title=A timeline of Reliance Communications versus Ericsson case|website=Moneycontrol|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref>
Reliance Communications Limited has paid Rs 550 crore to Swedish multinational telecom and networking firm Ericsson a day before the Supreme Court’s deadline, the Anil Ambani-led company said in a statement.

=== Sale of the company's assets ===

During 2020, a consortium of companies is bidding upwards of $200 Million USD to buy the assets of Reliance Communications.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RCom lenders to meet Jan 2 to consider asset bids – ET Telecom|url=https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/rcom-lenders-to-meet-jan-2-to-consider-asset-bids/73059345|last=www.ETTelecom.com|website=ETTelecom.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> Members of the consortium include NKV Krishna's [[White Lotus Conglomerate|White Lotus Group]], Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Group, Bharti Airtel, UV Asset Reconstruction (UVARCL) and US-based Varde Partners.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Airtel, Reliance, 3 others may submit bids for RCom assets on Monday|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/airtel-reliance-3-others-may-submit-bids-for-rcom-assets-on-monday/1773831/|date=2019-11-24|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official}}

{{Major telecommunications companies}}
{{Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group}}
{{Telecommunication companies of India}}

[[Category:2G spectrum case]]
[[Category:Internet service providers of India]]
[[Category:Mobile phone companies of India]]
[[Category:Private equity portfolio companies]]
[[Category:Reliance Group subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies established in 2004]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies of India]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2004]]
[[Category:Economy of Navi Mumbai]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Companies based in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the National Stock Exchange of India]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange]]

Reliance Communications - Revision history

VirginiaOxenham at 23:38, 5 January 2026

Delinker: Bot: The file File:Reliance_Communications_Logo.svg has been removed, as it does not exist.

->BattyBot: /* {{anchor|Attempted merger of wireless business with Aircel}}Attempted merger with Aircel */Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes