Vodafone Still in ‘Talks’ With Idea For a Possible Merger Deal

Vodafone Group has issued a clarification on the recent media speculation regarding a potential combination of its Indian arm with Idea Cellular (“Idea”). While it confirmed that it is in talks with the Aditya Birla Group about an all share merger of Vodafone India (excluding Vodafone's 42% stake in Indus Towers) and Idea, any merger, it said, would be effected through the issue of new shares in Idea to the Group and would result in the parent company deconsolidating Vodafone India.

It may be recalled that there's been a lot of buzz in the media circles regarding a possible merger deal between the two companies, thereby making the combined entity the biggest telecom player ahead of Airtel.

So, as of now there’s no guarantee that the deal will be agreed, nor have the terms or timing of any transaction been finalised.