In a bid to create a strong telecom infrastructure company, Tata Teleservices Ltd. (TTSL) has merged its passive infrastructure business (mainly towers) with tower company Quippo Telecom. TTSL seems to be aiming at the launch of its pan-India GSM service. Commenting on that, TTSL Managing Director Anil Sardana informed that the company has got spectrum for 13 circles and will soon get radio waves for the remaining telecom circles.

 

With nearly 3.2-crore subscribers, TTSL will be the second major CDMA player after Reliance Communications to enter the GSM space. TTSL's merger with Quippo Telecom will make it the second largest firm in terms of number of towers across India. According to media reports, TTSL- Quippo merger will create a Rs. 13,000-crore entity with 18,000 towers across India.

 

Under the new agreement between the two companies, Quippo Telecom will hold 49 per cent in the new entity. Quippo will also control the management function. Tata Teleservices would hold the balance in Wireless-TT Info-Services Ltd (WTTIL). While commenting on the new deal, Anil Sardana said that it will enhance the reach and asset utilisation along with reduction in cost of expenditure. He said that the combined expertise and operational capabilities of both Quippo and TTSL will help in enhancing the value of all the stakeholders.