BT has applied for licenses to offer national and international long distance services in India, an Associated Press report said.
The Associated Press report said BT also announced that it has formed a joint venture with India's Jubilant Enpro to offer these services in the country. BT will own 74% stake in the venture, with Jubilant holding the remainder.
BT will invest around $1.6 million in cash for its 74% stake in the joint venture with Jubilant Enpro, Dow Jones newswire reported.
'When granted, the licenses will enable BT's newly formed joint venture company, BT Telecom India Ltd. to offer services for the first time directly to multi-site customers in the Indian market,' the company said.
The report further said BT initially plans to provide domestic and international services to its corporate customers who have sites in India. Currently, it assists its customers who want connectivity to India, through an arrangement with a local telecom operator.
BT Group operates in India through two subsidiaries, BT India and the newly formed BT Telecom India.
Separately, C. S. Rao, managing director of BT India said at a news conference that the new company is expected to start operations by March 2007, the report further said.