Batelco considers another trip to India

Batelco has indicated that it may make another attempt to enter the Indian market less than a year after it sold its previous investment in the country.

In 2009, the company bought just under half of the newly licensed Indian network, STel for US$225 million, though the mobile network subsequently had its licences cancelled last.

Late in 2012, Batelco sold its stake in STel for US$174.5 million to its Indian partner, Sky City Foundation, although it is now suing the company for non-payment.

"India is an attractive telecom market due to its size, growth potential and opportunity to launch many innovative services," Batelco’s CEO, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa said. "Potential opportunities in India remain on our agenda [and] Batelco is interested in investing in existing operators." he added.