NTT DoCoMo files arbitration request to exit $1 billion Tata Teleservices stake

NTT DoCoMo, the Japanese mobile phone operator, on Monday said it has asked a London court to ensure Tata Sons finds a buyer for DoCoMo's stake in their Indian joint venture for US $1 billion, after Tata failed to do so by an agreed date.

DoCoMo paid 266.7 billion yen ($2.22 billion) for 26.5 per cent of Tata Teleservices in 2009. Under the agreement, holding company Tata Sons would sell the stake for at least half of the purchase price should undisclosed performance targets be missed, DoCoMo said in a statement.

DoCoMo requested the sale in July. That gave Tata Sons 90 business days to find a buyer for Rs 7,250 crore ($1.15 billion) or fair market price, whichever was higher, DoCoMo spokesman Shunsuke Muraki told Reuters.

As a buyer was not found by December 3, DoCoMo filed an arbitration request on January 3 with the London Court of International Arbitration to ensure the stake is sold, Muraki said.

"Worst case scenario, if the agreement is not followed through, a foreclosure is a possibility," Muraki told Reuters.

Tata Sons said in a statement on Monday it would continue with efforts to find a solution to the issue.

"From the outset, Tata Sons has been committed to honouring its obligations to DoCoMo, and has taken every possible step keeping in mind the interests of all stakeholders and in accordance with law," the Tata Group holding company said.

"Tata Sons has made the necessary application to the Reserve Bank of India, and is awaiting a response," it said, without elaborating.

(Reuters)