Vodafone talks merger with Idea Cellular in India
The World's second largest cellphone networks operator, Vodafone, is in talks to merge its Indian business with local rival Idea Cellular. The information is confirmed by both companies but no specifics like deal worth have been disclosed.
According to analysts the merger would result in a group with around 375 million subscribers and 36% market share.
By joining forces with Idea Cellular in India Vodafone would become much more competitive against Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm, a new carrier backed by India's richest businessman Mukesh Ambani.
Jio's aggressive deals with free calls and low-cost data pushed Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea to slash their prices and settle for lower profits.
Vodafone entered the Indian market in 2007 and has had a bumpy ride ever since, thanks to price wars and a legal battle over a $2 billion tax claim.
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Reader comments
- XLR8R
- 31 Jan 2017
- vGx
Airtel, idea and Vodafone did the same tricks with Reliance communications many years ago. The regulator had to draft new policies and the time taken cost RCom very dearly. This time the regulators were ready having experience of past events. So s...
- Androidloveralways
- 31 Jan 2017
- 7kh
Vodafone doesn't have enough money to buy Reliance jio.In fact even if whole telecom companies make contributions,they won't have enough money.
- Anonymous
- 31 Jan 2017
- XRj
Very bad for india, how much money will go outside, wrong decision by idea