With barely 20 days to go for the scheduled commercial launch of its services, Reliance has managed to connect with only about 51 out of over 600 points in Bharat Sanchar Nigam's network.

This assumes significance as the arrangement could have a bearing on the connectivity for Reliance customers, since the launch is slated for May 1. Interconnectivity with BSNL is crucial as the state-owned telecom giant has more than 85 per cent of the network.

According to sources, Reliance had signed the agreement with BSNL more than a year ago and the required financial charges (port charges) have been paid to BSNL but connectivity has remained very low.

When contacted, BSNL chairman and managing director Prithipal Singh said, "It is an ongoing process. Our people are monitoring the situation. Whenever a request is made by the company for interconnection, the process would begin immediately."

Asked if clash of business interests between the two was a reason for the delay in providing interconnection, Singh said, "If that had been the case then we would not have given the same facility to other service providers."