Despite row, Reliance 4G likely from December 28

The launch may happen on December 28, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Reliance founder Dhirubhai Ambani. Initially, it will be available in major cities and towns, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode.

The RJI is investing about Rs 2,000 crore in Kerala on 4G infrastructure. With a bandwidth of up to 300 mbps, it would offer high-speed internet connectivity that enables fast downloads and fibre to the home facility.

Meanwhile, government sources said that the present row was caused by PWD secretary T.O. Sooraj bypassing the state’s right-of- way policy that prescribed that the sanction of executive engineers of the department or local bodies concerned should be obtained for cutting roads, and relaxed the restoration charges. After the PWD secretary’s order was cancelled in January this year, Reliance obtained permissions from the local bodies concerned. For instance, the Thiruvananthapuram city corporation recently granted the nod after a series of deliberations.

As per the policy of the state government finalised in 2011, no charges are levied for right-of-way. Instead, a portion of bandwidth should be provided as per state government norms, apart from meeting the road restoration cost which varies depending upon the road. In many other states a rent for right-of-way is levied. For instance in Tamil Nadu, it is around Rs 6,300 per kilometre whereas in Bangalore it is around Rs 6,000 per kilometre.

IT department sources said that now many states were waiving the right-of-way charges considering a directive from the centre.