Date:16/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/02/16/stories/2007021606271000.htm

Essar not against network sharing: Mittal

Our Bureau

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New Delhi Feb. 15 The Essar Group is not against a network sharing arrangement between Hutch and Airtel following Vodafone's purchase of stake in Hutch Essar, Mr Sunil Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Group, said on Thursday.

"I spoke to the Ruias and they have no objections to the network sharing. The sharing makes sense as we (Hutch and Airtel) already share 25 per cent of network and we will take this to 100 per cent. We will collaborate on infrastructure... it does not make sense to build duplicate highways," Mr Mittal said.

He was responding to reports of Essar being unhappy about Vodafone's announcement of a network infrastructure sharing agreement with rival Bharti Airtel without consulting Essar.