Unitech Wireless inks infra deal with TTSL, Quippo

Inching closer towards sealing the deal with Norway-based Telenor, Unitech Wireless today signed an infrastructure sharing pact with the tower arm of Tata Teleservices Ltd and Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Ltd.

As part of the pact, Unitech Wireless will lease tower infrastructure from Wireless-TT Infoservices Ltd (WTTIL) and QTIL across India.

This agreement will enable the company to roll out GSM services as planned by the second half of 2009, Unitech and Tata Teleservices said in a statement. In addition, Unitech entered into an agreement for the provision of transmission with Tata Teleservices.

Meanwhile, Telenor CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas said, "The tower and transmission agreements are the key elements in the closing process of our Unitech Wireless deal and will enable us to embark on its swift and cost efficient rollout."

Last year, Telenor acquired 60 per cent stake in Unitech Wireless for Rs 6,120 crore.

TTSL recently merged its tower arm, WTTIL, with Quippo Telecom, a pure-play tower company, which will have an inventory of about 22,000 towers by April 2009. The agreement gives Unitech Wireless access to 40,000 sites, as required, based on the rollout plan.