Indian multinational telecommunications services company Bharti Airtel and Hughes Communications India Pvt Ltd (HCIPL), a majority-owned subsidiary of Hughes Network Systems LLC, a player in satellite and multi-transport technologies and networks announced the formation of a joint venture to provide satellite broadband services in India.
The combined India VSAT operations of both companies will offer a range of satellite and hybrid network solutions to business and government customers.
According to informed sources, Sunil Mittal-led Airtel will hold a 33% stake in the new JV while Hughes will hold the balance 67% stake, said a joint press release.
According to a press release, operational as HCIPL, the entity combines the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) businesses of both companies to offer flexible and scalable enterprise networking solutions using satellite connectivity for primary transport, backup, and hybrid implementation.
The agreement, announced in May 2019, has received all statutory approvals, including those from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and Department of Telecom (Government of India) and the joint venture has been formed.
Now serving Airtel VSAT customers, HCIPL has a combined base of over 200,000 VSATs. With unmatched reach and scale, the company is the largest satellite service operator in India, well-positioned amid the changing regulatory environment to serve the emerging connectivity requirements of business and government customers with an enhanced product portfolio and operational efficiencies said the release.