Bahrain’s Batelco has signed an agreement with India’s Bharti Airtel which allows them to share each other’s networks and thereby enter new markets. Batelco is looking to expand in Asia, while Airtel is eyeing the Middle East.
Bahrain’s Batelco (BHSE:BATELCO) has signed an agreement with India’s Bharti Airtel (NSE:BHARTIARTL) which allows them to share each other’s networks and thereby enter new markets.
Batelco said in a statement that the partnership aligns with its plans to expand internationally and strengthen its global data offering.
The Hamala-based telco added that it will improve its position in the pan-Asia region, affording customers and carriers greater access and reliability.
New Delhi-based Airtel, in turn, will be able to take advantage of Batelco’s presence in the Middle East and nearby areas, Airtel director and CEO for the global voice and data business, Ajay Chitkara, noted.
Batelco chief global business officer, Adel Al-Daylami said his company is “well in line with expansion plans and glad to have signed this agreement with Airtel to drive us forward”.
Batelco says it has direct and indirect investments in 14 geographies, namely Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Maldives, Diego Garcia, St Helena, Ascension Islands and Falklands.
Airtel, for its part, has operations in 20 countries in Asia and Africa.