Date:12/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/12/stories/2005111202120400.htm

Back Idea may enter long distance segment

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Nov. 11

CLOSE on heels of the Government announcing lower entry fee and annual licence fee for long distance players, Idea Cellular today said it is considering the possibility of entering the market, if it made business sense.

"We are open to it (entering the long distance market). We have to study if it makes business sense to enter the segment. Licence fee is not the issue any more," Mr Vikram Mehmi, CEO, Idea Cellular, said here.

He said the long distance telephony in India would not remain the same after yesterday's announcement, adding "99 per cent of the cut would be passed on to the subscribers".