Indian mobile operator Vodafone Essar has applied for a national long-distance (NLD) licence, as well as an ISP licence, according to the Economic Times.  The operator has reportedly also approached the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for approval of its two applications. A decision is expected on 19 June. Vodafone Essar sees the move as necessary to compete with rival mobile operators including BSNL, MTNL and Reliance Communications (RCOM) which already offer internet services.