RCOM offers unlimited Facebook, Facebook Messenger access for Rs. 16/ month

Reliance Communications (RCOM) is looking forward to spreading some Christmas cheer amongst its GSM subscribers. The company has launched a new 'Facebook Messenger Plan,' which offers unlimited access to Facebook (including the Facebook Messenger), for Rs. 16 per month.
To activate 'Facebook Messenger Plan, Relaiance GSM subscribers will have to send text message "FB" to 53739 from their mobile phones. Once activated, this plan will be available for the users for the next 30 days and will get auto renewed on the completion of this period.
"We are confident that 'Facebook Messenger Plan' with unlimited usage of Facebook without any extra data charges is set to provide a compelling new experience with incredible affordability to Smartphone users across the country on our superior network. We are hoping this offer to trigger a significant shift of youth customers using Smartphones to our superior network," Nilanjan Mukherjee, Wireless-Chief Revenue Officer at RCOM, said.
Facebook Messenger is an instant messaging service and software application that enables text and video communication. It is a cross platform app and is available on smartphones as well as feature phones.
In the beginning of December, the social networking giant had rolled out a new version of Messenger app. With the help of this new app, mobile phone users who do not have a Facebook account too could sign up the service by entering their phone number. Thus eliminating the need to login via a Facebook account or an email address in order to chat with their Facebook friends.

Government got Rs. 5.7 crore fine from RCom for USOF rule violation

Government has received penalty of about Rs. 5.7 crore imposed on Reliance Communications (RCom) and its subsidiary Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL) for switching off USO Fund-supported mobile towers leading to interruption in mobile services.
"A financial penalty of Rs. 4,63,22,000 has been imposed and recovered from RCom and Rs. 1,07,67,500 from RTL for the period of interruption in mobile services caused due to shutting down of services by these companies," Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

He said RCom and RTL switched off their mobile Base Transceiver Stations, also known as mobile towers, at Universal Services Obligation Fund supported sites from November 2010 to February 2011.

The Government has received total penalty of Rs. 11.04 crore between Financial Years 2007-08 and 2011-12 (up to October 30, 2011).

Funds collected under USOF is utilised by central government from telecom companies in various schemes for provision of telecom services in rural and remote areas of country.

USOF data presented by the minister shows that Bharti Airtel is highest contributor to this fund followed by state- run BSNL in the last three year.

During the current financial year, the leading contributors to the fund have been Bharti Airtel with Rs. 897.86 crore, BSNL Rs. 364.96 crore, Idea Cellular Rs. 346.34 crore, Vodafone Essar South Rs. 286.24 crore and RCom with Rs. 188.84 crore.