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Reliance Communications is planning to rope in strategic partners for its infrastructure and technology innovation unit for 3G mobile business, and is in discussions with global players like Motorola and HP. Sources said that discussions are also being held with likes of Intel and Sony.

RCOM, Anil Ambani group’s telecom arm, is looking for partners in its 3G Innovation Lab, which has been set up as an end-to-end wireless network infrastructure and new technology provider for high-speed 3G (third generation) mobile services.

Sources said RCOM will also let out the services of the Lab to other operators and service providers to further monetise its investment in this newly set-up unit. This could be part of RCOM’s plans to raise funds for launch and expansion of its 3G services, for which it has made large investments, they added.

The company paid more than Rs. 8,500 crore for securing the spectrum (radio waves) to offer 3G mobile services and analysts have estimated that more than Rs. 5,000 crore could be required for rolling out the networks.

RCOM is planning to launch 3G services by the end of this year, subject to the release of spectrum next month.

Other players with whom the discussions are being held include global technology players such as Red Hat, SNAPinSoftware, weComm, Rubberduck Media Lab and Skyfire Labs.

When contacted, an RCOM spokesperson declined to comment on the global partnerships the company was seeking. However, the spokesperson confirmed RCOM’s move to set up a full-fledged 3G Innovation Lab.

“Our 3G Innovation Lab will drive all 3G innovations for mobile as well as other platforms. It will aid in demystifying 3G technology and make it simpler for adoption amongst cross- section of customer groups,” the spokesperson said.

Sources said the partnership would help in scaling up the Lab’s capabilities and exploring the monetising opportunities by offering the infrastructure of this unit to third-party players through managed services business model.

The Lab has been set up at Reliance ADA Group’s Headquarters in Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City, Navi Mumbai.

RCOM has won 3G spectrum in 13 circles, including key ones like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

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