The global search engine and news portal, Yahoo Inc acquired 30% stakes in Info Network Management Company (INMAC). INMAC is a Chennai-based tele-information service provider known for phone directory search service 'Call Ezee', which is available across 14 cites in India. It is 24x7 tele-information provider that handles about 10,000 calls per day and provides 24-hour helpline for medical emergencies.

Info Network Chief Executive, TS Narayanaswamy said, "The Yahoo investment will enable us to scale operations and extend our reach across the country to 26 more cities by 2010, including six metros - Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai." The company would use Yahoo's expertise for further growth. It has set a target of 100 percent growth by this fiscal (2008-09) and expanding the customer base to 10 million by 2010 from two million in FY 2008.

Notably, Yahoo has already picked stakes in Bharatmatrimony. com portal and Tyroo Media Ltd during the last two-three years and it is the third investment of Yahoo in Indian enterprises. Yahoo's representative, Keith Nilsson said, "Our investment will help Info Network to establish as a national player in the directory search service. The Indian local search market is seeing rapid growth, driven by increasing use of mobile phones by consumers to search and find local businesses and services."

The amount of the deal is not yet disclosed.