AirTel to go overseas

By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 19 May 2004, 19:30 IST
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KOLKATA: With an eye on a US listing by end-2004, Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd (BTVL) is embarking on a global brand-building binge. For the first time, AirTel prepaid cards will be sold overseas in the local currency of a country. Distribution of AirTel prepaid cards will start this month in Singapore, Malaysia and across the Gulf. By July, they are tipped to be sold off-the-shelf across the US, UK, Canada, Thailand and Indonesia. Bharti has received all regulatory clearances and will shortly submit its AirTel prepaid cards offshore distribution price plan with Trai. For starters, AirTel prepaid packs will be targeted at an envisaged 5 million expats, NRIs and ethnic Indians residing in Singapore, Malaysia and the Gulf. Under the proposed distribution model, international travellers will buy AirTel prepaid cards in their home country and activate them on landing in India.