Vodafone Essar operates telecom services in 23 circles in India. It is owned 67% by Vodafone and 33% by Essar Group. In 2007, Vodafone acquired a 67% controlling stake in Hutch-Essar for $11.1 billion. Hutch Essar was rebranded as Vodafone in September 2007. As of February 2009, Vodafone Essar had over 65 million subscribers, comprising 17.4% of India's total cellular market.