Loop Telecom to finalise vendors by Dec 15

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Mumbai-based Loop Telecom, a fully-owned subsidiary of BPL Mobile, will be finalising its vendors for its 2G rollout, by 15th of December. Sources close to company told CIOL that company has floated RFP for its IT and networks.

The company, sources add, will also be rolling out 2G services in eight circles by 2009.

Loop telecom currently operates GSM mobile services in Mumbai. Loop Telecom is one of the seven operators to receive a licence for Pan-Indian mobile operations in 21 circles and has received start-up spectrum in six circles

“The vendors will be finalized by 2009 and Loop Telecom will be rolling out 2G services by 2009”, source added.

The company has also finalized a budget between Rs 1000-4000 crores for vendor engagement, sources add.

Loop telecom in which  Ruias of Essar have a 9.9 percent stake, had according to recent news reports initiated talks with Kuwait-based Zain Telecom and Norway telcom giant Telenor to sell controlling stake, valuing the enterprise at around $3 billion.

Loop Telecom has recently roped in former Hutchison Essar senior executive, Rajiv Sawhney to head its venture. Sawhney was previously president of Hutch Indonesia.