Anil Appoints Lazard Man To Lead On MTN Talks - June 4, 2008

Reliance Communications has appointed a veteran London banker and one-time anti-apartheid activist to lead its team of advisers on talks with South Africa''s MTN that could create a giant Indo-African telecommunications group. Ken Costa, chairman of international business at Lazard, will lead Reliance''s negotiations with MTN, the two companies being locked in exclusive talks that could create a company with a market value of more than $68.7 billion. Now a well-known city banker, Costa in his youth was the leader of the students'' council at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, then a centre for anti-apartheid activism, and spoke about his passion for justice in a recent interview.The current chairman of MTN is 56-year-old Cyril Ramaphosa, a veteran of South Africa''s anti-apartheid struggle who resigned key positions in the government after losing the contest to be South African president to Thabo Mbeki in 1997. Ramaphosa continues to be a member of the executive committee of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa. Costa, 57, moved to Lazard from UBS last year after more than 30 years with that group. Reliance and MTN are discussing an arrangement under which Reliance Communications Chairman Anil Ambani will take 34 per cent of an enlarged MTN without triggering an obligatory open offer for the remainder of the South African company. A merger would see the creation of the world''s fourth largest mobile telephone group, after China Mobile, Vodafone and China Unicom with more than 116 million subscribers in India, Africa and the Middle East.Costa''s past deals include the relocation of Anglo American, the mining giant, from Johannesburg to London, and the acquisition of the Ritz by the Barclay brothers, Sir David and Sir Frederick, in 1995. Earlier this year he advised Olivant, the investment vehicle owned by the former UBS executive Luqman Arnold on its failed bid for Northern Rock.

RCom Ltd Is Set To Roll Out Its Mobile Phone Services J&K

Reliance Communications Ltd is all set to roll out its mobile phone services in Jammu and Kashmir shortly. The group though managed to get licence to operate in J&K much earlier than Airtel and Aircel, yet its operation was deferred due to some problems in the state. The company likely to unveil the mobile phone service in the next two months. All the necessity preparations are being made for the final take off. Reliance will emerge as the most favourite cellular service provider in the state, with its extensive network not only in the Jammu and Kashmir region but also in entire Ladakh, bordering China.

Reliance Communications Has International Operations

With reference to reports appearing in a section of the media on May 02, 2008, Reliance Communications Ltd has clarified that Reliance Communications has substantial international operations, and has recently acquired telecom licenses in Uganda etc. The Company continuously evaluates various growth opportunities globally, both organic and inorganic, on an ongoing basis.

Rcom Takes Over UK-Based Wimax Operator

The Anil Ambani-controlled Reliance Communications has purchased 90 per cent stake in a UK-based WiMax operator, ''eWave World''. RCom plans to infuse $500 million in eWave to build and acquire WiMax networks in the emerging markets of Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa. RCom will also utilize this acquisition as a springboard to extend WiMax services to 50 countries by 2012. eWave World is a telecom operator concentrated on wireless telephony services using the WiMax technology standard, especially in emerging geographies. The company has already won WiMax licences in 18-20 countries.