AT&T confirmed reports yesterday that it was planning to enter India’s mobile phone industry, saying that the carrier is “very serious about the market.” However, AT&T did not say whether it plans to break into the market by starting its own operations in India or though an acquisition.
Reports have been circulating that the carrier is looking to acquire a stake in Videocon’s subsidiary Datacom, which was recently issued a license to operate mobile services throughout India. AT&T also filed an application for a mobile phone license in India in October; it is still waiting to hear back from the country’s telecom regulator.
AT&T exited India’s wireless market in 2004, selling its stake in Idea Cellular, but is now seeking to regain a foothold in one of the fastest-growing markets worldwide.