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 CEO Jeff Bewkes had said that they’re separating AOL’s audience business from their access business… 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, an AOL India spokesperson told ContentSutra.

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 1,000 seat call center. AOL India 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