India's Reliance Communications (RCom) is in talks with Reliance Jio Infocomm over network sharing arrangements.
The companies are negotiating arrangements covering spectrum in the 800-MHz band that would allow RCom customers to access Reliance Jio's LTE network, the Economic Times reported.
Citing comments from RCom chairman Anil Ambani, the report states that the deal being discussed would include a reciprocal roaming agreement.
It would allow Reliance Jio to use RCom's network to provide circuit-switched voice services, while RCom would be able to take advantage of the extensive investments Reliance Jio has made to roll out an LTE network across the country.
Reliance Jio Infocomm is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, owned by Anil Ambani's brother Mukesh. Reliance Communications split off from Reliance Industries in 2005 due to an acrimonious dispute over inheritance of the company from their father Dhirubhai Ambani.
But the brothers have since reconciled, and RCom and Reliance Jio have been steadily pursuing closer co-operation.
The Indian government recently introduced new rules allowing for the sharing and trading of spectrum, enabling RCom and Reliance Jio to enter such a collaboration.
The report also quotes Anil Ambani as stating that RCom could be ready to announce a deal to sell its tower unit Reliance Infratel within the next couple of months, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce debt.
Source: http://www.telecomasia.net/content/rcom-reliance-jio-network-sharing-talks