First overseas foray: Ola to drive Down Under to take on rival Uber

While Softbank is giving firms a free run, it's clamping down on capital heavy battles such as the one between Uber and Ola

Softbank-backed Ola has launched its service in Australia, its first overseas market, as it looks to fulfill its global ambitions in line with the ride-hailing model peers and competitors such as Didi Chuxing, Grab and Uber have built.

The company in a press note said that it has begun inviting private hire vehicle owners in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to sign up on its service. Commencement of its commercial operations is still subject to necessary regulatory approvals, Ola added.

Business Standard had first reported on January 9 that Ola was planning to set up operations in Australia