Hutch completes 100 % acquisition of BPL mobile

Company Release, January 21

MUMBAI

Hutchison Essar Limited ("Hutchison Essar") announced that it has completed the acquisition of BPL Mobile Cellular Limited, the holder of cellular mobile telephone licences for Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

According to the latest Cellular Operators Association of India numbers, as on 31 December 2005, BPL Mobile Cellular Limited had over 1.56 million subscribers, taking the total subscribers for the Hutchison Essar group to approximately 13 million.

Asim Ghosh, Managing Director of Hutchison Essar said, "We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of the three BPL circles and look forward to driving significant growth in these circles. We are thankful for the support of our shareholders in helping us maintain a long term investment strategy to provide high quality affordable communication services across India."

Hutchison Essar Limited, with about 13 million* subscribers after the BPL Mobile Cellular Limited acquisition, is one of the most reputed 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'.

*Figures from Cellular Operators Association of India, 31 December 2005

For further information, please contact:

Malini Sharma

Genesis Public Relations

Mobile: 9820551217

Email: malini.sharma@hutch.in