The Hindu Business Line : Phi Tele in talks with MNCs for WiMax services

New Delhi, June 18 Phi Televentures, a company recently started by high profile corporate executives, is in talks with a number of international players, including Russia-based Yota and Bahrain headquartered Wi-Tribe, to form a joint venture for rolling out WiMax-enabled broadband services in the country.

According to industry sources, Phi Televentures may bid for WiMax spectrum when the Government opens it up for auction or could partner state-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd, which already has been allocated 20 Mhz to offer wireless broadband in Delhi and Mumbai.

While neither of the companies involved confirmed the development, Mr Ravi Sharma, founder and CEO of Phi Televentures, admitted that talks were on with international players. “Yes, we are talking to a number of foreign players for jointly investing in the WiMax space. However, I will not be able to comment on who we are talking to at this juncture.”

Founded by Mr Ravi Sharma, former CEO of Datacom; Mr Pramod Saxena, CEO of Oxygen; and Mr B. D. Khurana, former CEO of Reliance Infocomm, Phi Televentures was created to provide a platform for MNCs looking for partnership in India.

Angel partners

“This is a first of its kind venture in India. We want to be angel partners (equity basis) for international enterprises/MNCs/VCs seeking opportunities or partnerships in India. We will also partner Indian companies seeking partnership with MNCs or funding from VCs,” said Mr Sharma, who was the CEO of Alcatel Lucent India before he moved to Datacom. The company is focusing on new areas such as WiMax, Internet Protocol TV, Mobile Virtual Network Operators and Mobile TV.

The Government is expected to give out 20 Mhz spectrum each to three private players through an open auction slated for September. BSNL and MTNL have already been given the spectrum in the 2.5 Ghz band. One more slot is available in the 2.5 Ghz band and two in the 2.3 Ghz band. A number of foreign players, including from Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia, are exploring the possibility of bidding for the WiMax spectrum when it is auctioned.