HTIL (Hutchison Telecommunications International) has agreed to acquire three carriers in India via its joint venture with India's Essar Group, Hutchison Essar. It will pay approximately US$1.2 billion for BPL Mumbai Communications and BPL Mobile Cellular, and US$6 million for Essar Spacetel. These acquisitions are expected to increase Hutchison Essar's subscriber base to over 12 million from 9.3 million and expand its services to 23 regions from the current 13. According to Hutchison Essar, the financial support for these acquisitions will come from shareholder funding and bank borrowing.