Emerging markets-focused ISP New Call Telecom is attempting to bolster its presence in the Indian OTT/app space by acquiring as many as 4 new companies.
The ambitious firm has stated that it could spend as much as $300 million on companies in the software and infrastructure segments across the next 6-12 months. The UK-headquartered group acquired the messaging app Nimbuzz last year, while its acquisition of Indian Wi-Fi provider Ozone Networks is currently in the process of receiving regulatory approval.
New Call CEO Nigel Eastwood confirmed that the company was discussing deals with around 8 or 9 companies, and would “end up acquiring three or four”. He added that further news would be announced “very shortly”, saying “almost all of them are India-based companies, but one of the companies that we are talking to will be an interesting play coming to India. What we are looking to do is acquire complimentary assets.”
Founded in 2010, the company has offices across several major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. However, it is aiming to consolidate its Indian units into one office in Gurgaon, which will necessitate a further 100 jobs.
“We are acquiring other businesses and incubating new ideas and that’s why we need people,” said Eastwood. “That’s my vision behind growing our business in India and getting behind the Digital India initiative.”
In addition to Nimbuzz and Ozone, New Call made an attempt at buying Nextra Teleservices to add fixed-line services to its Indian portfolio. However, the failure of this deal led to the firm dropping its interest in fixed and refocusing on its OTT strategy.
