Japanese telecom operator NTT DoCoMo announced on November 12 that the company has forged a strategic alliance with TTSL (Tata Teleservices Limited) - the telecom service arm of Tata Group - and Tata Sons - the promoter of Tata Group - in India, according to a press release by NTT DoCoMo. As part of the strategic alliance, DoCoMo will buy 26% stake in TTSL for approximately 130.7 billion Rupees (US$2.7 billion; US$1 = 49.4 Rupees), marking DoCoMo's first foray into the Indian market, according to the same source.

Prior to the deal, DoCoMo and Tata Sons have jointly made an open offer to acquire up to 20% stake of TTML (Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Limited), the listed arm of TTSL, according to a report by Dow Jones. Under Indian regulations, such an open offer is mandatory before the acquisition plan. As of September 30, TTSL and Tata Sons respectively held 37.6% and 20.7% in TTML. Currently Tata Sons owns over 50% stake in TTSL.