RIYADH, 5 July 2007 — Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) is likely to get the Indian government’s go-ahead to enter India through its purchase of a 25 percent stake in Malaysian telecom company Maxis Communications. The $3-billion deal gives this Saudi company an 18.5 percent indirect stake in Chennai-based Aircel Cellular, which has substantial operations in that country. Maxis owns 74 percent of Aircel. Asked about the status of Saudi Telecom bid to enter into Malaysian and Indian markets, Saud ibn Dafer Al-Qahtani, a Saudi Telecom’s spokesman said that “the details of the deal, which will enable us to enter into Malaysian and Indian markets, will be available within a week from now”.