In A decision aimed at scaling up its business model in India, the Bharti Group has handed over all IT operations of its telecom venture, BTVL, to IBM Corp in a ten-year, approximately $700 mn, contract.‘‘Our deal is the first of its kind for IBM and among the biggest we’ve ever signed up in the Asia-Pacific,’’ Colleen Arnold, GM, IBM Communications said today. The contract effectively relieves the telecom group of an active role in managing the hardware and software needs for its integrated telecom services in BTVL’s 12 circles.“With IT in IBM’s hands we can focus on our core competencies,’’ said Bharti Group Chariman Sunil Mittal. In effect, IBM will manage every decision related to Bharti’s infotech operations, in collaboration with a small group of Bharti officials, Abraham Thomas, Managing Director, IBM India said.
