Editing Reliance Communications (section)

==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>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7372777 |title=Stocks |website=[[Bloomberg News]]|date=16 August 2023 }}</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&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref>[42&nbsp;Mbps]</ref>

In the 2010 [[spectrum auction]], Reliance obtained licenses for 3G spectrum in three cities at a total licensing fee of {{INRConvert|58.64|b|year=2010}}.<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=2 April 2016 |language=en-US |access-date=14 September 2016}}</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=14 September 2016}}</ref>

=== Acquisition of MTS India and Digicable ===
On 1 July 2010, the board of Reliance Communications confirmed the acquisition of [[Digicable]] India's largest cable network in all-stock deal. The new entity was named Reliance Digicom, which integrated 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=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/RCOM-acquires-Digicable-in-all-stock-deal/articleshow/6115783.cms |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=live |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 {{INRConvert|3.92|b|year=2016}} every year for 10 years. As a result of the deal, Reliance acquired MTS India's subscribers and SSTL's spectrum in the 850&nbsp;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=6 September 2016}}</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=6 September 2016}}</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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411000009/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2016-03-18/news/71630719_1_shyam-group-sistema-shyam-teleservices-sstl-spokesperson |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2016 |title=Sistema Shyam shareholders approve merger with Reliance Communications |work=The Economic Times |access-date=6 September 2016}}</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=6 September 2016}}</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=8 October 2016}}</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=23 October 2017 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=24 October 2017}}</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=14 September 2016 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |access-date=14 September 2016}}</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 news |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 |newspaper=Business Standard India |access-date=20 March 2017 |date=15 March 2017 |agency=Press Trust of India}}</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 |work=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=Indo-Asian News Service |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 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/1254e56e-a6c4-11e7-ab55-27219df83c97 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=Financial Times |access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> The deal, which was expected to help the company repay {{INRConvert|250|b|year=2017}} 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=2 October 2017 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=2 October 2017}}</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=3 October 2017 |work=Livemint |access-date=2 October 2017}}</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 {{convert|100000|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 effect 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 {{INRConvert|11|b|year=2017}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/business/2019/03/15/trouble-call.html |title=Trouble call|website=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]] }}</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 {{INRConvert|5.5|b|year=2018}} 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 {{INRConvert|5.5|b|year=2018}} 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 {{INRConvert|4.63|b|year=2019}} 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 |date=18 March 2019 |access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref>
Reliance Communications Limited has paid {{INRConvert|5.5|b|year=2019}} 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 bidded 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=12 May 2020}}</ref> Members of the consortium include NKV Krishna's White Lotus Group, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, 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=24 November 2019 |website=The Financial Express |language=en-US |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
In 2022, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio won the bid and acquired the assets of Reliance Communications for Rs. 3720 crores.