Bharti Airtel, IBM India Sign New $150 Million Pact on Technology

NEW DELHI -(Dow Jones)- Indian telecommunications company Bharti Airtel Sunday said it signed a pact with the local unit of IBM to help boost its service offerings.

Under the pact, IBM would offer services worth $150 million to Bharti over six years that would strengthen the telecommunications company's networks and develop expertise in beaming television content over the Internet, a joint news release issued by both the companies said.

"With a thrust on these new areas, we are leapfrogging to the next level, which will empower our customers to make informed choices and provide seamless access to a host of services," Jai Menon, Bharti's director-information technology and innovation said in the news release.

-By Abhrajit Gangopadhyay; Dow Jones Newswires; 91-11-41207691 abhrajit.gangopadhyay@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Posted to the site on 21st January 2008