Airtel, IBM tech-outsourcing deal extended till Jan-end

Bharti Airtel has temporarily extended its technology-outsourcing contract with IBM till January end, and is in talks with the US firm for a new contract after that, which could be narrower in scope and lower in value, at USD 200–250 million. The telco is also engaged in separate talks with a clutch of software companies, including Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, and Amdocs, for its mainline IT infrastructure-outsourcing needs, including data center management, applications management services, and operations of switching and billing system that could culminate in additional outsourcing deals, aggregating around USD 250 million.

IBM’s existing 5-year contract, which was to expire on March 31, was worth USD 500–550 million.