The telecom industry is buzzing of an impending marriage between Sri Lanka Telecom and Lanka Bell, the third private fixed operator.
Industry analysts expect a memorandum of understanding to be signed within the next few weeks, but sources close to both telecom operators refrained from commenting over the possibility of such a move.rn
rnTalks of a possible marriage comes at a time when the telecom industry is in the midst of drawing up guidelines on how operators should behave when they become dominant through a merger.rn
rnIndustry analysts say the idea was mooted by mobile operators, Celltel and Dialog to stop possible cross subsidisation or unfair advantages SLT is likely to reap through its acquisition of Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd last year.rn
rnHowever, a draft Mergers & Merge Situations set of rules has been drawn up the the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) under the Telecommunications Act and is pending approval from the Commission.rn
rnMeanwhile, Sri Lanka Telecom has slashed its