Reliance Communication is planning to invest around $2.5 billion in 2007-08 in expanding its telecom network to more number of towns and cities across the country.

The company is also looking to launch new services, including direct to home (DTH) and internet protocol television (IPTV) by December 2008. Reliance Communication has struck a deal with Hutch, Airtel, Idea Cellular and Aircel for sharing infrastructure across the country and with MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai.

The company has struck a deal with Hutch, Airtel, Idea Cellular and Aircel for sharing infrastructure across the country and with State-owned MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai.. On the proposed investments in its cellular network, the outlay for 2008-09 is estimated to be much higher compared to 2007-08, which will end up at $1.75 billion by 31 March, 2007.

In January 2007, similar announcements were made by Bharti Airtel, which is also investing close to $2.5 billion in network expansion apart from venturing into new areas such as DTH. Bharti had also announced hiving off its cellular infrastructure into another company.

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