MTN denies talks of tie- up with Reliance Communication (India)

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: South African wireless communications firm MTN Group Ltd has declared its desire to continue expanding its footprint in emerging markets but denied its talks of tie up with Reliance Communications Ltd. This has also put a halt to the news that revisiting plans to push into the giant Indian market.

However, there are speculations that it might look again at a merger with Reliance, India’s second-largest mobile company by subscribers, since controlling owner Anil Ambani scrapped a pact with his brother that had quashed a deal with MTN in 2008.

According to Nozipho January-Bardill, MTN executive for corporate affairs, the company is not in discussions to merge with or buy a stake in Reliance Communications and nor is it interested in beginning such talks now. Earlier it was reported that Reliance has received proposals from international telecommunications companies interested in buying a strategic stake but the names of the firms were not taken.

In April, the MTN has also revealed that it was considering the acquisition of some or all of Egyptian operator Orascom Telecom Holding.