MTNL and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) are in the middle of negotiations to buy out Sri Lankan fixed line telecom operator Suntel. Other companies that have been shortlisted for the Suntel sale are Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings and Telekom Malaysia. According to analysts, Suntel’s parent company, Sweden-based Telia, is expecting around $200 million for the company. Suntel, which offers voice, data and internet services, has a 300,000-strong subscriber base.
