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Indian rivals hail Vodafone deal Indian rivals hail Vodafone deal
(about 2 hours later)
Rival Indian telecoms companies have welcomed Vodafone's $11.1bn (£5.7bn) purchase of a controlling stake in mobile phone firm Hutchison Essar.Rival Indian telecoms companies have welcomed Vodafone's $11.1bn (£5.7bn) purchase of a controlling stake in mobile phone firm Hutchison Essar.
Reliance Communications, which also bid for the 67% share, said the UK firm's win indicated the success and growth potential of India's mobile market.Reliance Communications, which also bid for the 67% share, said the UK firm's win indicated the success and growth potential of India's mobile market.
"We congratulate Vodafone and welcome them to India," said Reliance's chief executive Anil Ambani."We congratulate Vodafone and welcome them to India," said Reliance's chief executive Anil Ambani.
Hutchison Essar is India's fourth largest mobile phone network.Hutchison Essar is India's fourth largest mobile phone network.
Vodafone's purchase ends a long bidding war for the Hutchison Essar stake owned by Hong Kong's Hutchison Telecommunications.Vodafone's purchase ends a long bidding war for the Hutchison Essar stake owned by Hong Kong's Hutchison Telecommunications.
UK firm Vodafone is moving into emerging economies to make up for slow growth in mature markets like Europe.UK firm Vodafone is moving into emerging economies to make up for slow growth in mature markets like Europe.
According to Vodafone, India is the fastest growing mobile market in the world, with around 6.5 million new subscribers every month.According to Vodafone, India is the fastest growing mobile market in the world, with around 6.5 million new subscribers every month.
'Strong endorsement''Strong endorsement'
In addition to beating Reliance, Vodafone also outbid other Indian telecoms firms Hinduja and Essar, the later of which already owns 33% of Hutchison Essar. In addition to beating Reliance, Vodafone also outbid other Indian telecoms firms Hinduja and Essar, the latter of which already owns 33% of Hutchison Essar.
It was also announced that Vodafone had sold its 5.6% stake in India's largest mobile phone group Bharti Airtel.It was also announced that Vodafone had sold its 5.6% stake in India's largest mobile phone group Bharti Airtel.
Vodafone has sold it back to Bharti Airtel for $1.5bn.Vodafone has sold it back to Bharti Airtel for $1.5bn.
Bharti Airtel boss Sunil Mittal said he congratulated Vodafone on its success in buying the majority stake in Hutchison Essar.Bharti Airtel boss Sunil Mittal said he congratulated Vodafone on its success in buying the majority stake in Hutchison Essar.
"Today the Indian telecom sector is one of the most sought after in the world and the bid is a strong endorsement of the Government policy to promote the Indian telecom sector," said Mr Mittal."Today the Indian telecom sector is one of the most sought after in the world and the bid is a strong endorsement of the Government policy to promote the Indian telecom sector," said Mr Mittal.