So how do you become the second largest mobile operator in Sri Lanka? Try buying Luxembourg-based Millicom’s Tigo Network. Well, that is what Bharti Airtel plans.

The Tigo network has two million subscribers being Sri Lanka’s third largest network and is part of Millicom International. The network has operations in Laos and Cambodia other than Sri Lanka where it has a business worth $150-200 million.

Airtel ‘s Sri Lankan arm, which launched mobile services last year, has already invested $125 million in Sri Lanka against a commitment of $250 million. Bharti entered the Sri Lankan market early this year and have a million subscribers within six months. Other competitors for the network include Russia’s Vimpelcom, Malaysia’s Axiata Group and UAE’s Etisalat.

This move comes as a surprise as Airtel has been in talks with MTN for one of the world’s biggest telecom mergers.

Bharati has yet to make a firm bid which should be done in a few weeks.