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China Mobile plans India entry via acquisition
The world's largest mobile operator in terms of the number of subscribers (457 million), China Mobile, is considering an acquisition in India. “We are looking at India for our expansion,” Wang Jianzhou, chairman and CEO of China Mobile, said on the sidelines of a press conference at the Mobile World Congress here.
This is the first time the mobile company had expressed an interest in India. Wang, however, declined to comment on whether he was already in talks with any Indian operator.
Wang said the telecom company was looking at international markets despite the global economic crisis but said the approach would be cautious since the domestic market still presented huge potential for growth.
Last year, the Indian telecom market saw healthy valuations for acquisitions in two new telecom companies that are yet to start operations. Swan Telecom was valued at around $2 billion after selling 45 per cent to UAE-based Etisalat for close to $900 million (around Rs 4,140 crore). Unitech Wireless, with 22 circles, sold 60 per cent to Telenor for Rs 6,120 crore, valuing the company at Rs 11,620 crore. Other new entrants Videcon group Datacom, and BPL Group’s Loop Telecom have also been on the lookout for new partners.
In contrast to the saturated mobile markets in developed countries, India adds about 9 million subscribers every month, making it an attractive market for new investors.
From:Talk time: China Mobile plans India entry via acquisition
The world's largest mobile operator in terms of the number of subscribers (457 million), China Mobile, is considering an acquisition in India. “We are looking at India for our expansion,” Wang Jianzhou, chairman and CEO of China Mobile, said on the sidelines of a press conference at the Mobile World Congress here.
This is the first time the mobile company had expressed an interest in India. Wang, however, declined to comment on whether he was already in talks with any Indian operator.
Wang said the telecom company was looking at international markets despite the global economic crisis but said the approach would be cautious since the domestic market still presented huge potential for growth.
Last year, the Indian telecom market saw healthy valuations for acquisitions in two new telecom companies that are yet to start operations. Swan Telecom was valued at around $2 billion after selling 45 per cent to UAE-based Etisalat for close to $900 million (around Rs 4,140 crore). Unitech Wireless, with 22 circles, sold 60 per cent to Telenor for Rs 6,120 crore, valuing the company at Rs 11,620 crore. Other new entrants Videcon group Datacom, and BPL Group’s Loop Telecom have also been on the lookout for new partners.
In contrast to the saturated mobile markets in developed countries, India adds about 9 million subscribers every month, making it an attractive market for new investors.
From:Talk time: China Mobile plans India entry via acquisition