Reliance Communications forays in International Mobile market with GSM License in Uganda

Mumbai 21 February 2008: Reliance Communications Limited today announced acquisition of Uganda based Anupam Global Soft (U) Ltd, a company holding Public Infrastructure Provider License (PIPL) and Public Service Provider License (PSPL) issued by Uganda Communications Commission. The acquisition, made through a subsidiary of Reliance Communications Limited, marks the first step in the Company’s plans in the International Mobile market.

Under the existing Licenses, Reliance Communications targets to offer Mobile, Fixed Line, Internet, National and International Long Distance services, in addition to WiMax and Wifi services in Uganda.

This company has received Spectrum allocation and plans to launch its Mobile services by end of 2008. Reliance Communications Group is targeting to invest upto US$ 500 million (Rs. 2000 crore) in establishing a high quality, fully-IP enabled integrated telecom network in Uganda to capture the significant growth potential in this emerging African market.

Punit Garg, President, Global Business, Reliance Communications said, “Uganda telecom market is similar to what India was 8 years back. Our expertise in managing among world's largest integrated telecom network, and deep understanding of diverse consumer segments makes us confident to achieve a significant position to add further value for our 2 million shareholders.”

The Company plans to connect the African continent with rest of the world by laying a submarine cable system through its arm Reliance FLAG plans to spend USD1.5 Billion (Rs. 6000 crore) in building a 1, 15, 000 Kms fully-IP enabled optic network to reach 2/3rd of World population.

Reliance Communications has ambitious global expansion plans and is concentrating on opportunities in emerging Asian and African markets. The Company has established a pan-India, next generation, integrated (wireless and wireline), convergent digital network that is capable of supporting best-of-class services spanning the entire Infocomm value chain.

Uganda has a population of approx 30 million with a significant literacy rate of approx. 62%. There were 3.016 million mobile subscribers by end-March 2007 (source: UCC), equivalent to a penetration rate of 10%, providing ample scope of expansion. The existing telecom players have been witnessing healthy subscriber and ARPU growth recently.

About Reliance Communications:

Reliance Communications Limited, founded by the late Shri Dhirubhai H Ambani (1932-2002) is the flagship company of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group currently has a market capitalization of over Rs. 3,20,000 crore, net worth in excess of Rs. 40,000 crore, cash flows of Rs. 9,000 crore, net profit of Rs. 5,000 crore and zero net debt.

Rated among "Asia's Top 5 Most Valuable Telecom Companies", Reliance Communications is India's foremost and truly integrated telecommunications service provider. The company, with a customer base of around 45 million including over 1.4 million individual overseas retail customers, ranks among the Top 10 Asian Telecom companies by number of customers. Reliance Communications’ corporate clientele includes 1850 Indian and multinational corporations, and over 200 global carriers.

Reliance Communications has established a pan-India, next generation, integrated (wireless and wireline), convergent (voice, data and video) digital network that is capable of supporting best-of-class services spanning the entire infocomm value chain, covering over 15,000 towns and 400,000 villages. Reliance Communications owns and operates the world's largest next generation IP enabled connectivity infrastructure, comprising over 175,000 kilometers of fibre optic cable systems in India, USA, Europe, Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. For further information, pls visit www.reliancecommunications.co.in

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