Monday saw Loop Telecom, a subsidiary of Ruias-managed Loop Mobile (earlier BPL Mobile), making the announcement regarding the soft launch of cellular services in Tamil Nadu and Orissa circles.  

Loop has now become the maiden telecom company among new entrants to start operations with this launch. It should be noted that Videocon group’s Datacom Solutions, Swan Telecom of the Dynamix Balwas group and S-Tel are other operators preparing to unveil services.  

Services would be extended by Loop to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala by June and the company confirmed that the sequence of circles launch is in sync with the sequence of the spectrum allocation.  

It should be mentioned here that if Loop had failed to initiate services within 52 weeks of allocation of spectrum in a circle, it would have invited a penalty from the Department of Telecom (DoT).  

A further grace period of 13 weeks would also be provided and the company would provide services under the Loop Mobile brand name.  

Loop Telecom CEO Sanjeev Chachondia said, “We are currently testing our services and products in Tamil Nadu and Orissa. Subsequently, we will roll out a wider range of network coverage and services for the customers.”