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ShareAkhil Gupta, deputy CEO, Bharti Enterprises, spoke to the media after announcing the financial results for the quarter ended September 2009. Excerpts:
On emerging stronger:
Strong players always emerge stronger. We are the strongest right now with 50 billion minutes a month and maximum subscriber base. There could be irreparable damage to some of the weaker players. Consolidation is the way forward.
On value proposition for subscribers:
Price is just one of the factors. We are way ahead of others in quality and customer service. Why should we match the lowest denominator (in tariff)?
On new goals:
We will invest in technology--not just in mobile business, but in new business streams (such as M-commerce and M-entertainment).
On the MTN deal:
MTN is behind us now. It didn't happen. Revival of talks is always possible, but there's no chance of a revival at this point.
On talks with Zain Telecom:
There's nothing in the horizon right now.
On new opportunities:
We will continue to pursue all opportunities to take our business model to other parts of the world. But value proposition is of importance. Our emphasis is on the emerging markets.
On competitive pressure and glitches:
We could face temporary adverse effects in terms of revenue because of the intense competition in the telecom space. But we will emerge stronger in the long-term.
On third generation (3G) telecom:
We welcome the government decision. We will participate in the auction.
On the impact of the CBI probe into alleged irregularities in spectrum allocation:
Being a private company, we cannot comment on it.
On shedding employees:
It's a misnomer that we are shedding employees. There's no plan at Bharti to shed employees. Employees are not a problem for us.
On 2G spectrum queue:
Bharti is awaiting 2G spectrum across 10 circles in India.
On whether Bharti is planning local consolidation:
It's too early to talk about it. But we may look at it.
