Hutch gets the nod to become one

HONG KONG: Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. said its Indian operating arm Hutchison Max Telecom Private Ltd (HMTL) had received Indian government approval for its planned consolidation with Hutchison Essar Telecom Ltd, Hutchison Telecom East Ltd, Fascel Ltd and Hutchsion Essar South Ltd.

HMTL and those assets and their subsidiaries combined currently cover 13 license areas and have a total subscriber base of about 6.4 million as of September 30, 2004, Hutchison Telecom said in a statement.

"HMTL intends to take the remaining steps required to implement such consolidation as soon as practicable," the statement said.