So it has finally happened: AOL (NYSE: TWX) has sold its call center operations in India to Aegis BPO Services, a part of the Essar Group, reports ET. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of April. The divestment is a part of AOL’s strategy of focusing on its core operations, AOL International Executive VP Maneesh Dhir has said. In Feb, AOL President Jeff Bewkes had said that they’re separating AOLs audience business from their access busienss...AOL used to have 9-10 call centers for servicing their access business, and the India call center is the last remaining one which they have sold off, and AOL India spokesperson told ContentSutra. Thus, there appears to be a definite shift towards the access side of the business, and I wonder if with the sale of the call center ops is a precursor to an exit from the access business itself.

Aegis will, however, continue to service AOL with the call center. According to ET, the deal is estimated around $25-30 million, though sister publication ToI had pegged the deal at $100 million. Our sources had said then that the deal isn’t as big as that - at least for a 1000 seater call center. AOL India has declined to comment on the terms or the size of the deal.

• AOL To Sell Call Center Ops To Essar Group: Report
• AOL To Split Audience Business From Access