Hughes Network Systems (HNS), a shareholder of Hughes Tele.com India Limited (HTIL), and Tata Industries Limited (TIL), a shareholder of Tata Teleservices Limited (TTL), announced today that they are disengaging from discussions on combining their basic telephony services in the circles of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. HTIL operates basic telephony services in the Maharashtra telecom circle (including Mumbai) while TTL provides basic telephony services in the Andhra Pradesh telecom circle.

HNS and TIL had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the possibility of combining their basic telephony services in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

HNS and TIL have reaffirmed their commitment and support to HTIL and TTL, respectively, for providing basic telephony services in their respective circles.