Intent on exploiting the opportunities of one of the world’s fastest growing communications markets, BT said on Monday that it has lodged applications with the Indian Department of Telecommunications for national long distance and international long distance licences.

BT has also formed a joint venture company, BT Telecom India, to offer services for the first time directly to corporate customers in the Indian market. The company has also reached a joint venture agreement with Jubilant Enpro, a New Delhi-based company engaged in the oil and gas, food and services industries to help with deployment.

Under the joint venture agreement, BT holds a 74 per cent interest in BT Telecom India, while Jubilant Enpro holds 26 per cent. The company’s intention is to provide both domestic and international managed services to corporate customers with sites in India. At present BT can only service customers wanting connectivity to India through an arrangement it has with a local licensed operator.

BT presently employs over 15,000 people in the Asia Pacific region, most of which are based in India and is aiming to increase its Indian employee headcount by 6,000 within the next two years.

The UK operator, which has been in India since 1987, said Monday that it saw revenues from its Indian operations at $250m (£131m) by 2009.

Last week the firm posted a strong first half but saw stiff competition in broadband provision where its market share fell.

Andy Green, CEO of BT Global Services, said: “India is one of the fastest growing markets for BT and our strategic partnership with Jubilant Enpro will strengthen our ICT deployment in India. With this alliance and under local licensing, customers can be assured of world class end-to-end global services”.