Airtel revamps ops; continues management rejig

After several rejigs in its top management, India's biggest telecom service provider Bharti Airtel on Thursday said it was restructuring its business model, splitting the company into eight segments, with a view to build a ''more connected'' organisation.

The company had at the end of last week announced the appointment of Manoj Kohli as managing director; but reports at the time said he would continue to head the company's sagging African operations, with little or no role in the Indian operations.

Gopal Vittal was made joint managing director; and also placed on the company's board as additional director. Sunil Bharti Mittal, the company's chairman and managing director, is now the executive chairman (See: Manoj Kohli to be Airtel MD in management rejig).

On Thursday Airtel said its operations will be divided into eight regional hubs from the current three.

The hubs will report to Ajai Puri, who has been put into the newly created position of director (market operations). Puri will report to Vittal.

The changes will be effective from 1 March, the company said in a statement.