Bharti bags second telecom license in Channel Islands

Mumbai: Bharti Global's subsidiary Guernsey Airtel Ltd has been awarded licences to operate 3G and 2G mobile services in Guernsey, after it emerged the highest ranking applicant for the licence. The selection is said to have been based on a competitive evaluation process.

This is the third international telecom venture for Bharti, India's largest mobile services provider after its entry in Seychelles and Jersey. In May 2006, the private telecom group was granted a license to run comprehensive telecom services, including 2G and 3G mobile services and international long distance services, in Jersey through its subsidiary Jersey Airtel Ltd.

Guernsey is located in the English Channel, northwest of France. Along with Jersey, it forms the collective grouping known as the Channel Islands. Financial services and tourism are the mainstay of the country's economy.

Bharti has been offering mobile and basic telephone services in Seychelles since 1998 under the Airtel brand through its subsidiary Telecom Seychelles. Bharti Global is an offshore investment company of Bharti Group, which has interests in telecom (Bharti Airtel) , insurance (Bharti AXA Life isurance) and global distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables in association with ELRo Holdings India Ltd (FieldFresh Foods Private Limited).