The Indian mobile operators, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, BSNL and MTNL intend to bid for the telecoms licences and purchase telecom companies in the West Asian countries like Syria and Lebanon.
It was last week, that the Syrian government had announced the auction of its third mobile licence in 2009. The Syrian telco, Syriatel Mobile is also up for sale.
On the other hand, Lebanon has announced the plans for privatisation of its two state owned mobile networks MIC1 and MIC2.
Though, the Indian telcos will also face stiff competiton with the regional players of the Gulf region like Etisalat and Zain Kuwait, who are eyeing the Syrian and Lebanese mobile market.
The Indian telcos have not yet commented on their perspective of entering these two mobile markets, but say that they are eyeing the global opportunities.
We are open to opportunities across the globe provided there are a strategic fit and valuations suits us. However, as a company policy we do not comment on market speculations, the Bharti spokesman reportedly said.
BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goyal said it was also exploring opportunities abroad. Top executives of the PSU further said that the company has recently created an international business unit to explore telecom opportunities abroad and this division would take the final decision on placing bids for companies in the Gulf region.
RCOM spokesman quoted chairman Anil Ambani to say the company would continue to look at global acquisition.