AT&T to Indian telecom market

The world's third-largest mobile operator by subscriber base, AT&T of the US, is all set to re-enter the rapidly growing Indian telecom market, subject to new guidelines being framed by the department of telecommunications (DoT). The company applied for a unified access service licence (UASL) for 22 circles across the country. AT&T will be partnering the Mahindra group, with which it currently offers international and national long distance services, for its mobile services. AT&T's submission came on the last date fixed by the DoT for UASL applications. AT&T exited the Indian mobile services market in July 2005, when it sold its equity in Idea to the Tata and Aditya Birla groups. It entered the Indian market through a JV with the Aditya Birla group by acquiring cellular mobile licences for Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1995. Later, it merged with Tata's Andhra circle to form Idea.