Bharti Airtel Ltd.

Industry
Interactio
n Cell

Company Overview
Bharti Airtel Ltd. is an integrated telecom service provider offering multiple telecom services viz. fixed,
mobile, International Long Distance (ILD), National Long Distance (NLD), VSAT, Internet and network
solutions. The company commenced operations in December 1995 and went on to become the first
private player to operate in all 22 telecom circles. Airtel is currently the largest mobile operator in India,
with a subscriber base of over 200 million and a subscriber market share of over 22 per cent. In April
2006, the company became 'Bharti Airtel Ltd' from 'Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd'. The company has broadly
divided its business into the following segments:

Wireless services (2G, 3G and 4G)

Telemedia services (Fixed line, Broadband, IPTV)
Enterprise Services
Passive Infrastructure Services
Digital TV business (DTH services)

Besides India, the company operates in 19 countries across Asia and Africa. It has been providing mobile
services in Bangladesh since 2007, after it acquired a 70 per cent stake in Warid Telecom Bangladesh, a
subsidiary of the UAE-based Abu Dhabi Group. After acquiring Zain Africa and Telecom Seychelles in
2010, Bharti Airtel expanded its African footprint to 16 countries. Furthermore, in September 2011, the
company was granted a licence in Rwanda to operate 2G and 3G GSM mobile services, whereby it had a
presence in 17 countries in Africa. It has also been providing 2G and 3G services in Sri-Lanka since 2009.

Operations
As of March 2014, the company's subscriber base at the end of March 2014 stood at 205.4 million, higher
than 188.2 million reported in the previous year. Moreover, it enjoys ARPUs and MoUs that are higher
than the industry average. The subscriber base increased further to 209.8 million as at July 2014, with a
company having a market share of 22.8 per cent. The company is the market leader, in terms of revenue
share too, which is at 31.1 per cent for the quarter ended June 2014. In February 2014, Bharti Airtel
entered into a strategic agreement with Loop Mobile to acquire Loop's subscribers as well as some of its
assets in Mumbai. As per media releases, the deal size is estimated to be Rs 7 billion. Under the
agreement, Loop Mobile's subscribers in Mumbai are to join Airtel's network. Regulatory approvals for the
deal are in process.
At the spectrum auctions held in February 2014, BAL acquired spectrum in both the 900 MHz and 1800
MHz band for a total outgo of Rs 185.3 billion.This included spectrum in the more efficient 900 MHz
frequency in the Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata circles.
The company's wireline subscriber base stood at 3.36 million in March 2014 as against 3.28 million in
March 2013. Bharti also provides broadband (DSL), data and telephone services (fixed line) in 87 cities
with a growing focus on various data solutions for the Small & Medium Business enterprises. About 43.7
per cent of its wireline subscribers also use broadband / internet services. In this segment, Bharti offers
fixed-line telephones providing local, national and international long distance voice connectivity and
broadband Internet access through DSL.

Major Rivals
Vodafone India Ltd., Idea Cellular Ltd., Reliance Jio Communications, Tata Telecommunications, Telenor
Group, BSNL, MTNL, Aircel

Key People (only CEO and MD)

Name
Sunil Bharti Mittal
Gopal Vittal

Title
Chairman
MD & CEO (India & South
Asia)

Financial Review

Company News
Airtel transforms service experience for customers with all new retail store: Launches
its 10th company-owned-company-operated retail store in Surat, Gujarat
Bharti Airtel organized Each One Teach One Day an industry first initiative aimed at driving internet
literacy in India and contributing to the nations larger digital inclusion agenda. As part of this, Airtels
network of 1.4 million retailers, 20,000 on-the-field executives and 15,000 employees across a total of
around 1,800 towns pledged their support towards the cause of widespread internet awareness in India, and
spearheaded this movement as internet ambassadors who dedicated the entire day to make people
internet literate.
In August 2014, Bharti Airtel raised approximately Rs 21.4 billion by selling a 4.5 per cent stake in Bharti
Infratel, with a view to comply with a regulation on minimum public holding.
In July 2014, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that under the portfolio investment scheme, foreign
institutional investors (FIIs) could invest up to 74 per cent of the paid up capital of Bharti Airtel Ltd.
In December 2013, the Bharti Airtel signed a telecom infrastructure-sharing agreement with Reliance Jio
Infocomm Ltd, a unit of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).

Four Tenets
As a multi-national, multi-ethnic and multi-business line company, Airtel has a consistent people
approach defined by four tenets:
I know what to do
I have a future here
I feel energised and connected
I am confident of delivering

Values
Alive
We are alive to the needs of our customers. We act with passion, energy and a can-do attitude to help our
customers realise their dreams. Innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit drive us - if it cant be done, well
find a way.
Inclusive
Airtel is for everyone - we champion diversity, recognising the breadth and depth of the communities we
serve. We work with them, anticipating, adapting and delivering solutions that enrich their lives. We do this
by having an open mind and embracing change.
Respectful
We live the same lives as our customers, sharing the same joys and the same pains. We never forget that
they are why we exist. We act with due humility, always open and honest, to achieve mutual respect.

Vision

Industry Interaction Cell

industryinteraction@iimidr.ac.in

By 2015, Airtel will be the most loved brand, enriching the lives of millions.

Mission
Hunger to win customers for life.

Industry Interaction Cell

industryinteraction@iimidr.ac.in