3G to boost telecom consulting biz

UK Co Buys BDA Connect's India Ops Auctions To Hurt Cos Hit By Tariff War

Shalini Singh | TNN 

New Delhi: The 3G/BWA auctions and the resultant commercial activity that will be generated in India — the world's fastest growing telecom market — has stirred up expansion and M&A activity in the telecom consulting space with London-based Analysys Mason acquiring BDA Connect's India business. 
    This is a strong signal that the next two years will see hectic rearrangement of India's competitive landscape in the telecom space. Analysys Mason is learnt to have some of the largest telcos at its clients, including those invested in India and others that are planning to enter India. 
    The size of the telecom management and strategy consulting business in India is estimated at roughly $100 million with an over 25% growth rate. This growth rate is expected to accelerate as a result of fresh financial and commercial activity generated through the 3G auctions. Each telecom firm works closely with more than one consulting company for a variety of their internal requirements and many are being used as advisors in the current 3G spectrum auctions. 
    Analysys Mason delivers strategy advice, operations support, and market intelligence worldwide to leading commercial and public-sector organisations in telecom, IT and media. The company employs over 250 people worldwide, with offices in Cambridge, Dubai, Dublin, Edinburgh, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Paris, Singapore and Washington. 
    Analysys Mason is acquiring the BDA India team, which comprises 16 professionals with significant experience in strategy consulting in telecom and technology. The team has been working closely with international carriers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and value-added service (VAS) companies on market entry and growth strategy, and also has serious engagement with FICCI and CII. 
    The acquisition gives Analysys Mason an entry to the India market and also significantly enhances its capability to increase its footprint across Asia. For BDA India, it brings Analysys Mason's expertise on issues like realising the potential of broadband to India at this critical point in the market's development.
    When contacted, Kunal Bajaj, MD, BDA India, confirmed the deal but declined to reveal the acquisition value. Bajaj will take on the role of director, India, at Analysys Mason. 
    Apart from this, Ernst & Young recently brought in a new Partner from IBM to head telecom strategy, while IBM is scouting for a new telecom consulting and operations head.It is learnt that both PWC & KPMG are expanding their teams and strength in the telecom space at senior levels. Arpita Agarwal, who recently moved from PwC to KPMG as a Partner, is a visible testimonial of this activity. 
    The sheer size of the telecom industry together with the 3G auctions and the consolidation that is expected to follow points to the need for telcos to increasingly seek external help on a variety of issues, says Agarwal. 
A New Spectrum Of Opportunities 
tThe size of the telecom management and strategy consulting business in India is estimated at roughly $100 million with an over 25% growth rate 
tTelecom firms work closely with more than one consulting company for internal requirements 
tMany consultancy firms have been hired as advisors in the current 3G spectrum auctions