Company Press Release:
 
HMTL becomes Hutchison Essar
 
Mumbai, August 29, 2005: Following the consolidation of five entities under Hutchison Max Telecom Limited (HMTL) earlier this year, the name of the company is now being changed to Hutchison Essar Limited. The company's subsidiaries include Hutchison Essar Mobile Services, Hutchison Telecom East, Hutchison Essar South, Aircel Digilink India and Fascel. Having established itself as a major entity in the Indian mobile phone industry today, this consolidation reinforces the company's commitment towards further strengthening and expanding its services across the nation.

Speaking about the name change, Dennis Lui, Chief Executive Officer, Hutchison Telecom International, said, "This relationship between Hutchison Telecom and Essar began in the year 2000 and over the years has grown to a substantial cellular footprint in India. This change in the name of the company is the next natural step in the consolidation of the various joint ventures that have resulted in this entity. Hutchison Essar Limited will now further reinforce the company's presence in India."

Commenting on Hutchison Essar Limited, Ravi Ruia, Vice Chairman, Essar Group, said, "We are proud of the long standing association with Hutchison Telecom International. Post the amalgamation of the various entities under HMTL, the name change consolidates and recognises them as one entity, committed to expanding its services."

Hutchison Essar Limited provides cellular services in 13 circles including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, UP East, UP West, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal. The shareholders of Hutchison Essar Limited consist of Hutchison Telecom International, the Essar Group, Kotak Mahindra/Hutchison Telecom International joint ventures, the Hinduja Group and Max India.
 


About Hutchison Essar
Hutchison Essar, with  over 8.8 million mobile users under the Hutch and Orange brands, is one of the most reputable telecom companies in India. Over the years, it has been named the 'Most Respected Telecom Company', the 'Best Mobile Service in the country' and the 'Most Creative and Most Effective Advertiser of the Year'.