S
PHERE
27
80,000 voice samples went into its
development and, amazingly, the
platform understands various Indian
English accents.
K
EY
S
TRATEGIES
HutchisonÕs remarkable progress in
India has proceeded with a mixture
of commitment and caution.
When the Group initially entered
the Indian market in 1992 through
Hutchison Max Telecom, the Company
took just 10 months to build the
Mumbai network, a characteristically
speedy approach that was to serve it
well in the years to come.
But when the market opened up
further in 1996, with regional licences
being offered by the Government,
Hutchison chose to sit out of the bid-
ding due to its concerns over both
licence terms and high fees.
ÒWe are risk takers, but measured
risk takers,Ósays Ghosh. ÒSittingout
was a wise decision for Hutchison.Ó
GhoshÕs understated comments
mask the critical nature of the situa-
tion, in which back-breaking licence
fees pushed operators to the wall and
severely stunted the development of
STOCK IMAGE
The company becomes the
largest roaming operator
network in India.
Citing concerns over tenure
and fees, the Group elects to
sit out on bidding for newly
offered regional licences.
1998
The Indian Government
introduces a new National
Telecom Policy, replacing
licence fees with a revenue-
sharing scheme and extending
the licence period from 10 to
20 years.The move sets the
stage for Hutchison and its
Indian affiliates to go on an
acquisition drive.
1999
1,100,000
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
000
SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS
98
99
2000
2001
After the January 26
earthquake in Gujarat, Fascel is
the only telecom operator left
fully functioning.
On July 31, Hutchison
affiliates are allotted three
more licences to operate
1800 MHz services in the
states of Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh, and in the city of
Chennai.
September heralds the
launch of Yahoo SMS services in
Mumbai and Voice Command is
launched in November.
By September, Hutchison
India affiliates have 1 million
subscribers and rising fast.
Between December 2000 and
November 2001, HutchisonÕs
total India affiliate base
increased 75%, all organically
grown.
2001
In January the Group acquires
49% of Sterling Cellular, which
operates the
Essar
brand in the
Delhi metro circle. Its Indian
partners, principally Essar
Teleholdings, own the balance.
In Mumbai, the
Orange
brand
is launched on February 14 to
replace Max Touch.
In July, Usha Martin Telekom
is acquired, covering the
Kolkata circle under the
Command
brand.
In September, the Group
acquires an interest in Fascel,
the top cellular operator in
Gujarat, operating under the
CelForce
brand.
Also in September, Orange-
world mobile Internet services
are launched, allowing access to
a wide range of information via
OrangeWAP phones.
2000
1...,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28 30