NEW DELHI, JANUARY 30: Bharti-BT Internet has said that it will soon start acquiring Indian content companies to enrich its web services for which it would raise resources either through equity expansion or market borrowings. The company has shortlisted ten Internet content companies and is likely to acquire at least 3-4 of these shortly, N Arjun, chief executive officer, Bharti BT Internet told PTI but declined to quantify the funds needed for the purpose.The funds could be raised either through equity route or by raising debt to acquire companies for its upcoming portals on games, lifestyle and automobiles, he said.Bharti-BT Internet is a subsidiary of the joint venture between Indian telecom player Bharti group and British Telecom and offers Internet services under the name `Mantra-Online.'"This will help strengthen ourselves on the content front and increase our page views from the current three million to about 20 million by end 2000," he said.Meanwhile, reacting to the heavy price cuts forNet access by major ISPs like Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) recently, Bharti BT is planning a 10 per cent slash in its tariff shortly. "However, the price cut would not be applicable for the 25-hour slot," he said. The company would also roll out its ISP services in Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Calcutta by mid-March, Arjun added. Besides foraying in these four cities, Bharti BT Internet is also planning a presence in ten more cities.
