The known mobile group Orange
is drawing up plans to look at acquisitions to make a killing
from the red hot mobile market in India, which is adding five
million customers a month. However, the company seems to be much
keen to set a substantial presence in Africa.
Though, Indian market offers great potential, but we would consider
looking at it when the right opportunity will knock with the right
kind of valuations, says Sanjiv Ahuja, Chief Executive, Orange.
Vodaphone is buying a 67 per cent controlling stake
in India’s No. 4 mobile operator Huttchison Essar for USD
11.1 billion in cash. This enables the group to carve a niche
in the world’s fastest flourishing mobile market. Also,
the British group had acquired a 10 per cent stake in the India’s
top operator Bharti Airtel which it bought in the year 2005 for
$1.5 billion.
France Telecom owned Orange seems to rule out the possibility
of taking up minority stakes in upcoming market operators, especially
if it would not be able to set its own brand image the way it
desires, reveals Ahuja.
Africa offers great market scope as far as the subscribers are
concerned. Orange has come out with flying colors in such markets
and therefore plans to expand their operations. Orange would be
among the few European operators who enjoy an outstanding presence
in Africa.
The customer base being acquired is an extraordinarily important
facet deciding the growth of any company. Orange had over 97 million
customers in 24 countries at the end of December. The group is
also showing an inclination to gain fame in the United States,
but has to delay the plans for some time because of the prohibitive
valuations.
