Bharti Becomes Airtel

MUMBAI, India -- Bharti Tele-Ventures Limited, one of India’s leading telecommunications services provider, is to be renamed Bharti Airtel Limited. The proposal has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and will come into effect post approvals from the shareholders and statutory / regulatory clearances.

Bharti Tele-Ventures was incorporated in 1995 with the objective of making investments in the Telecom Sector. The word Tele-Ventures reflected the activity of the company - to undertake ventures/make investments in the Telecom Sector. Post the merger of Bharti Cellular Limited and Bharti Infotel Limited with Bharti Tele-Ventures Limited, the Company has become an Operating Company in the Telecom Sector. The name change will reflect the present nature of activities of the Company.

According to Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Group Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises, “Over the years, we have nurtured and grown the Airtel brand. The use of word Airtel in the name of the Company will reflect the brand as well as the activity of the Company. Having brought all our service offerings under the Airtel brand umbrella, this change will be another step towards making Airtel the most admired brand in the country.”

The name change is also in line with the Company’s vision - By 2010 Airtel will be the most admired brand in India:

In line with this Vision the Company is realigning the Airtel brand and is in the process of implementing a new brand essence – Think Fresh. Deliver More.

Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd.