Idea and Vodafone Merger: A saga of becoming India’s Largest Telecom Company In this article we will be discussing about a huge and an unanticipated change that is being observed in the telecom industry between two telecom giants, i.e. Vodafone India and Idea Cellular. Idea cellular which is owned by Kumar Mangalam Birla have come forward with the proposition to merge with Vodafone India. This would result in the biggest company considering the number of subscriber base catered by both the players. The merger will leave Bharti Airtel off its hook from being the number one from past 15 years. There are several aspects that are to be looked into while developing an understanding about the features associated with merger and the impact it would make on the consumers and the telecom industry as a whole.
Key Highlights of Vodafone-Idea Vodafone-Idea Merger The merger will give a higher stake to the promoters of Idea as compared to Vodafone India so that in the long run both the companies are able to gain access to equal hold 1. The 1. The first step for AB group would be the acquisition of 4.9 percent of shares from Vodafone. This would amount to a total of Rs. 3874 crore wherein each share is worth Rs. 108 . This would be helpful in increasing the share holding capacity of Idea to 26 percent 2. While 2. While Vodafone holds 45.1 percent of the shares in the merger , merger , Idea would be allowed to buy another 9.6 percent but at a cost of Rs. 130 per share in the period spread over next four years. However, if Idea is unable to come up equal to the shareholding percentage of Vodafone, it can go forward and buy the number of shares required further but at the price prevailing in the market 3. The 3. The chairman of the new combined entity would be Kumar Mangalam Birla while Vodafone would appoint the chief financial officer . The CEO of the new entity would be named jointly j ointly by both the companies under a joint agreement 4. The 4. The merger also gives the promoters of both the entitie s with a right to nominate 3 members each for the board. board. There would be a total of 12 members on the board of which 6 would be independent.
Significance of the Merger for Consumers The merger holds significance for the consumers also, as a rapid change can be expected in the market organisation and the telecom industry development. 1. The Indian telecom industry would see the domination of three telecom giants of which VodafoneIdea would be the largest. Additionally, Bharti Airtel and Jio have been found as the dominating counterparts in the telecom industry. 2. The process of branding will be individual for both the companies have been found to have a complementary nature with respect to each other.
Impact of Merger on Telecom Industry
There are also several other implications that this merger will bring forth on the telecom industry. 1. Firstly, there can be initiatives based on the renewal of price discipline for the disruptive entry by Jio has caused some serious misbalance 2. Secondly, the poor financial health of the telecom sector can be observed and through such mergers there will be infusion of health and life since India is the fastest growing market in terms of the subscriber base. 3. Through the merger, Vodafone and Idea will overcome their debts and large sum of credit will be infused in the system 4. The deal has also saved both the telecom companies from selling off their business, as was being planned by them initially and this would directly impact the quality of services being provided by different players in the industry
