Bharti bags mobile licenses in Europe

NEW DELHI: Bharti Global, the offshore investment arm of Bharti, has been awarded comprehensive licences to operate 3G as well as 2G mobile services in Guernsey, an Island located in the English Channel in Europe.

Guernsey Airtel, a subsidiary of Bharti Global has won the second telecom licence in Channel Islands where it emerged as the highest ranking applicant for the licence through a competitive selection process.

This is the third international telecom venture of Bharti. In May 2006, Bharti 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.

Bharti is offering mobile and basic telephone services in Seychelles since 1998 under the Airtel brand through its subsidiary Telecom Seychelles. Airtel has continuously led the market in Seychelles with new products and has played a crucial role in making mobile and landline services more affordable for its customers in Seychelles.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Bharti Chairman and Group Managing Director said, "We are extremely delighted at being given the opportunity to provide telecom services in Guernsey. Bharti has been at the forefront of the telecom growth story in India, which is one of the fastest growing mobile markets in the world with over 120 million customers. We are committed to providing world-class telecom services to our customers in the region.

Bharti Airtel, the mobile services firm of Bharti group has over 2.56 crore subscribers. Singapore Telecom holds 30 per cent in the company while UK major Vodafone has 10 per cent stake in it.