Verizon venture to seek permit for India - WSJ

NEW YORK, Feb 6 (Reuters) A business unit of Verizon Communications Inc. plans to apply for a long-distance operating licence in India, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

Verizon Business India, a joint venture between Verizon and part of India's Videocon Group , is expected to file for an international long-distance licence as soon as Tuesday, the Journal said, citing the company.

Approval by Indian regulators could take several weeks, the paper said.

International markets are important for telecommunications companies like Verizon, which has lost traditional phone subscribers to wireless and cable television operators. Verizon already has international exposure through MCI, which it acquired last year.

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