Virgin Group’s Virgin Mobile has reportedly exited India, selling its stake in the MVNO to the local partner Tata Teleservices (TTSL). According to sources at Hindu Business Line, TTSL will buy out the 50% stake held by the UK-based company for an undisclosed amount.
The alliance was formed back in 2008 as a 50:50 joint venture between Virgin Group and Tata Teleservices. As part of the deal, Virgin committed to use its marketing expertise to reach for the youth of India.
The sources go one suggesting that the branding deal will remain on place, with TTSL continuing to pay a royalty fee to Virgin for the next three years.
TTSL is in the midst of integrating all of its telecom-specific businesses under one umbrella as part of a cost saving drive.
Aside from a deal with Virgin Group, TTSL has also linked up with Japanese NTT DoCoMo, which led to the launch of the Tata Docomo GSM brand.
[Via: MobileBusinessBriefing]