India's Videocon says applies for telecom licences

India's diversified Videocon Group has applied for licences to provide telecoms services in the world's fastest growing cellular market, and aims to partner a U.S. firm, its chairman said on Thursday.

"By 2015, people say, India will have 800 million subscribers and they will need all kinds of services," Venugopal Dhoot told Reuters.

He said the power to home appliances group, which controls Videocon Industries Ltd , already make mobile phone sets and telecom services would bring in synergies.

The group has applied licences for 22 of India's 23 telecoms zones or circles, except the north-eastern region, he said.

Asked why the group was interested in a competitive and high capital expenditure business, Dhoot said: "I think capex will be minimal as towers are available on lease and rental basis. What we require is marketing ability. I think Videocon has that."

Dhoot declined to identify the U.S. partner but the Economic Times newspaper said on Thursday it may be Verizon Communications , which already has a joint-venture for international long distance (ILD) telecoms business with Videocon.

"I can't say who is the company, but it is an American company," Dhoot said. India has been adding about 8 million mobile users every month, and analysts have forecast the total to reach 500 million subscribers in five years from 200 million now. The huge growth potential has lured foreign firms.

Vodafone Group Plc , the world's second-biggest mobile firm, earlier this year paid $11.1 billion for a controlling stake in Hutchison Essar, since renamed Vodafone Essar, from Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecom International .

On Wednesday, Russian services conglomerate Sistema.said it aimed to raise its holding in tiny Indian telecoms operator Shyam Telelink Ltd to 51 percent after it bought a 10 percent stake for $11.4 million.

Reuters