The Hindu Business Line : Spice Telecom plans Rs 100-cr investment to upgrade network

The company will strengthen its network by adding 350 cell sites in the State by June 2006. In the first phase, 130 cell sites will be set up in various parts of the State.

Manipal , Dec. 13

SPICE Telecom, Karnataka's oldest cellular service provider, will invest Rs 100 crore in the next 60 days for upgrading its network and setting up infrastructure across the State.

Addressing presspersons at Manipal on Tuesday, Mr Navin Kaul, Chief Operating Officer, Spice Telecom, Karnataka, said the company wants to capture more than 25 per cent market share after the network upgradation.

"Through these network initiatives, which are being done in a phased manner, Spice subscribers will able to enjoy superior voice clarity, coverage and excellent connectivity across Karnataka," he said.

The company will strengthen its network by adding 350 cell sites in the State by June 2006. In the first phase, 130 cell sites will be set up in various parts of the State.

The company will launch GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) in the State in January, he said.

Considering the requirements of students in Manipal, the company has launched an exclusive student pre-paid card for Rs 99. Subscribers here have the benefit of calling Singapore, the US and Malaysia at Rs 9 a minute.

The company will provide tailor-made products for various categories of customers, he said.

Spice Telecom, which began operations in the State in April 1997, covers more than 70 towns. It has more than three lakh active subscribers.

Mr Kaul also unveiled the new brand logo of Spice Telecom on the occasion. The new logo is common to Spice group companies operating in the ICE (information, communication and entertainment) sector, he added.