NEW DELHI, India -- Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd., India's leading telecommunications conglomerate, and IBM India today announced a long term on demand business transformation agreement. This agreement will enable Bharti Tele-Ventures to deliver world-class telecommunication services to the Indian market and support its business growth.

The comprehensive agreement between Bharti Tele-Ventures and IBM India encompasses three components:

Announcing the agreement, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises, said, "The partnership with IBM is set to redefine the existing paradigms in the telecommunication industry. It will add unparalleled value to Bharti at multiple levels, be it for our customers, employees and shareholders. The agreement demonstrates our strategic intent to create a globally admired telecommunication company. With predictable IT spend, improved cash flow and optimized use of technology resources, the agreement with IBM will enhance Bharti Tele-Ventures' shareholder value."

Ms. Colleen Arnold, General Manager, IBM Communications Sector, Worldwide, said, "We believe the next big thing in technology isn't technology itself, but a better way to make it work. With this on demand agreement, Bharti Tele-Ventures will be able to take advantage of IBM's innovative technology coupled with our business expertise in working with telecommunication service providers worldwide. We will enable Bharti Tele-Ventures to adapt to changing market conditions and increase speed-to-market of new and innovative offerings for customers."

Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd.