May 26, 2012: Reliance Communications (RCom) has announced of bringing down 3G rates by 61%. This move by RCom after similar cut in 3G rates from Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular has intensified the 3G tariff war.

Now, the 3G users of RCom will be only charged with Rs. 250 for high speed internet usage up to 1 GB and thereafter the users will be charged with 20 paisa per MB data usage. Earlier, Anil Ambani Group firm used to charge Rs. 650 for the usage of 1 GB data and thereafter 50 paisa for each MB data usage. Moreover, the 3G subscribers of the RCom will now have to Rs. 450 for the usage 2 GB data download instead of previous rate of Rs. 710.

“We would like our customers to enjoy Reliance 3G network with the best broadband speeds for Internet access and uninterrupted data usage at the most competitive price point across all segments,” said Mr. Sanjay Behl, Group head for Brand and Marketing at Reliance Communication (RCom).

RCom also stated that the new plan of RCom with cut in 3G rates will be made available to the users spread in 333 towns across 13 telecom circles where the 3G services are active.

It is to be noted that the telecom companies such as Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular had earlier reduced their 3G rates to Rs. 3 for each MB data usage. However, the current reduction in 3G rates by RCom is really competitive enough to encourage other telecom companies to think of cutting rates on 3G rates.

The latest reduction in 3G tariff by the company has come mainly due to low penetration of 3G services across India. As per the global telecom industry body GSM Association, India had merely 10 million 3G users in March, 2012 in comparison to overall 900 million mobile subscriber bases in the nation.