MTN’s expansion drive targets India

MTN,Africa’s largest telecom company is set to enter the Indian market soon through a partnership with an existing operator, this according to media reports from New Delhi.

MTN, which had been a prime acquisition target for both Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications earlier this year, may challenge these Indian telcos in their own backyard.

According to Economic Times MTN is looking to enter India by partnering with a full-fledged existing operator, but there is no fixed time for its entry. Industry sources close to the development said MTN is not keen on picking up stake in any of the new companies which bagged telecom licences recently. If MTN strikes a deal to enter the world’s fastest growing mobile market, the South African telco, with its resources and its vast experience in emerging markets will be a formidable competitor for the biggies here.
MTN offers services in 21 countries across Africa and Asia and is amongst the top 10 telcos on the world. While its latest subscriber figures are not available, the company had 74.1 million subscribers as of June-end. The South African telco is known for its acquisition policy — last week MTN bought out Arobase Telecom and Afnet in Cote d’Ivore. Just days prior to that MTN said it had completed the acquisition of ‘Verizon Business South Africa’ which provides internet services in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. MTN has also announced that it would spend $3 billion for acquisitions and infrastructure development this year.

By ItnewsAfrica.com Reporter