Business

Vodafone-Idea merger: 10 facts to know

By Sreya Basu

Posted on March 22, 2017

Vodafone India is the second leading telecom operator in the country, while Idea Cellular is in the third position.

British telecom major Vodafone will be merging its Indian subsidiary with Aditya Birla Group’s Idea Cellular to strengthen their customer base in the wake of the new price war initiated at the entry of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio with its number of free services.

Here are 10 things you should know about the Vodafone-Idea merger:

1. Vodafone India is the second leading telecom operator in the country, while Idea Cellular is in the third position. Post their merger, they will have a combined market share of 43%, enough to replace the present No. 1 Bharti Airtel with 32.84% market share.

2. Present Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla is expected to be the new chairman of the merged entity as well. Vodafone India might appoint the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) fron their side. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be named jointly.

3. Though initially Vodafone India will play the dominant one in the merger with maximum number of shares, it will sell down its stake in the merged company if the shareholding is not equaled in four years.

4. The merger is expected to be complete in 2018.

5. But before that, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular will be selling off their standalone tower assets – 42% share of Vodafone India and 11.15% of Idea Cellular in Indus Towers, the largest telecom tower company in India.

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7. Till the merger is completed, both Vodafone India and Idea Cellular will continue operating separately.

8. The deconsolidation of Vodafone India is expected to reduce Vodafone Group’s net debt by Rs 55, 200 crore.

9. Vodafone has also made it clear that its ongoing tax dispute with the Indian government will not come in the way of its merger with Idea Cellular. Pertinently, Vodafone needs to pay the Indian government capital gains tax worth over Rs 20,000 crore for acquiring assets from Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. in 2007.

10. On the other hand, Idea has clarified there will be no big downsizing post its merger with Vodafone India.

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