Nokia and Ericsson are two of the unlikely candidates reportedly looking at launching as MVNOs in India. According to a report by Financial Chronicle, which cites a source at India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), both companies have approached the DoT regarding their plans, following the Indian government’s recent decision to lift the ban on MVNOs in the country. For both handset vendor Nokia and equipment maker Ericsson, such a move would mark a radical departure to their respective business models. “Their presence in hardware will give Nokia and Ericsson an edge in getting into the market,” the source said. Nokia is already prepping an MVNO in Japan using NTT DoCoMo’s network based around the vendor’s luxury Vertu handsets. “The handset maker is eying the Indian market just as it is eyeing Japan,” another source said. “This will offer Nokia an edge to be present in the entire value chain, from handsets, network equipment and operator service.”

Others companies reportedly showing interest in launching an MVNO in India include Telekom Malaysia, Mobile ESPN, BT and ValueFirst, the report says, while BT, Verizon and France Telecom were among the companies that had earlier called for India to allow MVNOs. The DoT is set to release detailed guidelines for MVNOs within the next couple of weeks after it receives feedback from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).