Virgin talks telecom with Indian players

Richard Branson, flamboyant chief of Britain’s second largest airline, said on Saturday he was in talks with telecom license holders fo...

Richard Branson, flamboyant chief of Britain’s second largest airline, said on Saturday he was in talks with telecom license holders for possible investments.

‘‘Virgin would be glad to have its own telecom licence in India, but we can suggest we ride piggyback on existing networks,’’ he said. He did not say who the discussions were with, or name the technology. ‘‘We are in talks with the four leading telecos. Discussions are in early stages – I won’t say if its CDMA or GSM,’’ he said.

Branson said he is also in talks with Indian

airline and telecom firms to buy stakes, but ruled out a time-table for the investments.

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‘‘We are in talks with domestic airlines already set up and with those who want to enter the business,’’ Branson said, adding, ‘‘We will be happy to take a 25 or 49 per cent.’’

He did not say if Virgin Blue and Deccan Airways were in talks or if Branson was likely to pick up a stake in it. Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd presently runs three daily flights from the UK to India and wants a half share in the 42 new routes India opened this year.

‘‘We have applied for seven flights each to Mumbai and Delhi and some to Bangalore from the new rights,’’ Branson said.