Etisalat eyes India, Idea in crosshairs

Saudi Arabia's second-largest telecom operator Emirates Telecommunication (Etisalat) does not expect a deal with Reliance Communications in 2010, said Jamal al-Jarwan, global chief, Etisalat, on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia's second-largest telecom operator Emirates Telecommunication (Etisalat) does not expect a deal with Reliance Communications in 2010, said Jamal al-Jarwan, global chief, Etisalat, on Tuesday.

The company was considering different options in India and did not rule out an investment in Idea Cellular, he said.

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Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications said in June the company was looking to sell a 26 per cent stake in the firm.

So far, only Etisalat has acknowledged that it is considering a deal with RCom.

“I don't see any deal in the near future,” Jarwan said. “Definitely not this year. We are taking our time.”

Idea Cellular did not respond to reporters' queries.