Virgin Mobile eyes tie-up with Tata Teleservices: The Times

17 January 2007

Virgin Mobile, British billionaire Richard Branson''s telecom firm is looking to entering the Indian market in a venture with Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd, reported The Times, London today.

According to the UK paper, Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata Group, is understood to have discussed with Virgin about it becoming an exclusive franchisee of the Tata Group''s telecoms arm, the newspaper said without citing sources.

The report said that the tie-up could become operational as early as April, it added, adding that an official confirmation from either the two companies was not available

The listed arm of Tata Teleservices Ltd, Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd provides fixed-line and CDMA mobile services in Maharashtra and Goa and last August had ruled out selling stakes in Tata Teleservices Ltd to foreign companies.

Virgin Mobile''s British rival Vodafone Group Plc, which is eyeing entry in to the Indian market is vying with Reliance Communications and the Essar Group to buy mobile phone carrier Hutchison Essar.