Vodafone approaches FIPB for NLD, ISP licences

NEW DELHI: Mobile services company Vodafone Essar has applied for internet service provider and national long distance licences and has approached the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for approval.

The company officials confirmed that the operator has applied for these two licences and aims to become a full-fledged communication services provider in the country.

FIPB, on June 19, may take up the proposal, sources said. If Vodafone Essar, in which the UK-based mobile firm Vodafone holds majority stake, gets the national long distance licence (NLD) it will help the company save operating expenses for carrying STD traffic, instead of hiring other mobile company's network for the purpose.

All the top mobile operators like Reliance Communications, Bharti, BSNL and MTNL have their own NLD infrastructure.

The company is also planning to enter the internet service segment in which all other major mobile operators like BSNL, Reliance Communications and MTNL has a presence.