Tatas launch Neotel in SA
Hindustan Times — September 1, 2006

The Tatas have decided to re-brand their South African telecom venture SNO Telecommunications as Neotel. The company launched its wholesale telecom services on Thursday. Its managing director Ajay Pandey announced an investment programme of 11 billion rands over the next 10 years. VSNL had acquired a strategic stake of 26 per cent in SNO. In December, the enterprise data solutions will be launched and thereafter the retail services in March. Neotel announced the launch of its wholesale international services within nine months after receiving its licence in December last year.

The Neotel release on the website said, "Leveraging the global telecom network of VSNL International, one of the world's largest of its kind, Neotel has brought the global Internet into South Africa, allowing South African carriers, for the first time ever, to connect directly to the core of the Internet." About the new identity Neotel, Pandey said: "In its very form, our new identity demonstrates our commitment to change your experience of telecommunications, to respond to your needs with efficient simplicity, and to become your preferred telecommunications partner."

The company also expects that with Neotel entering the wholesale business, other telecom operators who will be using its network will be able to pass on price benefits to their consumers.