BHARTI GROUP
Airtel and Jio expected to log steady growth, Vi may falter
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are expected to show steady growth in the June quarter, driven by strong broadband user additions, while Vodafone Idea (Vi) is likely to experience a dip in revenue due to ongoing customer losses. Airtel is anticipated to outperform Jio in terms of average revenue per user (ARPU) due to 2G-to-4G conversions and rising postpaid adoption. Vi's ARPU is expected to remain stagnant amidst limited 4G user gains.
Vodafone UK may offer Rs 2,000 crore equity topup to Vi
Vi may also make more substantial payments to Indus towards cutting its dues after the telco raises debt of ₹23,000-25,000 crore through term loans as planned, analysts added. After the recent sale of its 18% stake in Indus, UK's Vodafone holds 3.1% of the tower company and is said to be in talks with Bharti Airtel to sell these shares, people familiar said.
Jio, Airtel pricing strategy shows they still target Vi’s 2G users: Analysts
Analysts suggest that Vodafone Idea could encounter difficulties in retaining its 2G subscribers, as recent tariff increases indicate that competitors like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel remain focused on attracting Vi's low-end customers. Reliance Jio has maintained its rates for 4G feature phones, while Bharti Airtel has made minimal adjustments to its basic plans, highlighting their strategies to capture Vi's 2G user base.
Vodafone Idea's 'big' spectrum spend to help plug user exodus
Analysts added that Vi's spectrum spends of about Rs 3,510 crore - almost 12 times its Rs 300 crore earnest money deposit (EMD) - on the heels of a recent fundraise of about Rs 23,000 crore suggests the telco is preparing for network rollouts and plans to use its fresh 900 MHz spectrum to enhance 4G experience and rein in customer losses.
Dialog acquires 100% in Airtel Lanka via share swap deal
Sri Lanka’s leading telecom company, Dialog Axiata, has acquired 100% of Bharti Airtel’s subsidiary, Airtel Lanka, following the completion of an all-stock deal. Bharti Airtel now holds a 10.355% share in Dialog Axiata as a result of the share swap transaction.
UK’s Vodafone Group sells 18% in Indus for Rs 15,300 crore
The stake sale proceeds will be used to clear bulk of the UK company’s existing lender dues relating to $1.8 billion of borrowings secured against its Indian assets.
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Vodafone Idea's Indus stake sale could speed up repayments to towerco, which may issue dividend: JP Morgan
Vodafone Group's potential stake sale in Indus Towers may generate $2.3 billion in cashflows, prompting accelerated repayment to vendors and a special dividend to shareholders. The sale could clear past dues and benefit Vodafone Plc's lenders. An equity infusion might lead to a special dividend in FY25 for Indus Towers.
Vodafone looks to sell entire $2.3 bn stake in Indus Towers
Vodafone Group plans to divest its entire $2.3 billion stake in Indus Towers through stock market block deals next week to reduce debt. The British telecom giant currently owns 21.5% of Indus, with the final stake size dependent on market demand. Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and BNP Paribas are managing the sale
Vodafone Idea prefers stock as payment for Nokia and Ericsson bills
The board of directors of VIL approved a preferential allotment of 1.66 billion equity shares at Rs 14.80 per share to Finland’s Nokia and Sweden’s Ericsson, for a total of up to Rs 2,458 crore, the company said in a statement Thursday. Nokia will invest up to Rs 1,520 crore and Ericsson up to Rs 938 crore. The issue price is 35% higher than that in the April follow-on offer (FPO) of Rs 11 a share and comes with a lock-in period of six months.
Jio-SES JV Orbit Connect gets IN-SPACe authorisation to enter satcom space
Orbit Connect India, a joint venture between Reliance Jio Platforms and SES, has obtained crucial landing rights and market access authorizations from IN-SPACe, India's space regulator. This move positions Jio against Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Elon Musk's Starlink, and Amazon's Kuiper in India's satellite communications sector. Jio is also seeking trial satellite spectrum from the DoT for advanced trials on its nationwide satellite broadband network, aiming for an early allocation to begin trials.
Jio Satellite Communications seeks trial spectrum after IN-Space clearance
The Department of Telecom has already granted satellite communication service licence GMPCS and internet service provider licence to Jio Satellite Communications.
Airtel, Jio free cash flow seen rising amid falling capex spends, growing ARPU
Analysts predict Bharti Airtel's and Reliance Jio's free cash flows to rise in FY26, reaching approximately Rs 56,000 crore and Rs 38,500 crore, respectively. This growth stems from reduced capital expenditures and higher average revenue per user (ARPU). Both telcos expect a surge in ARPU driven by tariff hikes and increased data usage amid 5G deployments
Vodafone Idea must clear Indus Towers dues to avail tower company's new services: Sunil Mittal
Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal emphasized that Vodafone Idea must settle all past dues with Indus Towers to access new services like 5G. However, Mittal mentioned that the Indus board will remain flexible with its decisions even if Vi makes a significant payment and provides a schedule for the remaining amount. Airtel is a major stakeholder in Indus Towers.
5G adoption on a roll in India, yet tariff upside may be minimal: India Ratings
India's 5G subscriber base is expected to rise to 20-25% within a year, but significant tariff hikes remain uncertain, says Ind-Ra. While telcos are better positioned for tariff increases, global trends show no major premium for 5G over 4G. Ind-Ra maintains a neutral sector outlook, noting investment peaks and potential market share shifts towards Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
GX Group to make telecom gear in India for the world
GX Group plans to establish a new Rs 100-crore manufacturing facility in India to export FTTH equipment globally, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This will be their second plant, following a 2021 Haryana unit. The new facility will produce Wi-Fi routers and GPON equipment for Indian and international markets, including Europe and Africa.
Airtel's $100b market capitalisation reflects a stable economy under a solid leader: Sunil Mittal
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, emphasized that Airtel's resurgence post the challenges posed by Reliance Jio's entry and the AGR ruling showcased India's stable economy and supportive policies under strong leadership. Reflecting on Airtel's path to the $100-billion milestone, Mittal highlighted the company's resilience amidst industry disruptions. He noted that Airtel's achievement as the first-generation Indian company to reach this milestone was significant, especially considering the competitive landscape.
Meeting with PM Modi proved to be turning point for Bharti Airtel: Sunil Mittal
In September 2018, PM Narendra Modi's meeting with Sunil Bharti Mittal marked a turning point for Bharti Airtel amidst challenges from Reliance Jio. Mittal, GSMA chairman, highlighted the impact of Jio's free services and regulatory decisions on Airtel to PM Modi, seeking intervention.
Vodafone Idea may find it tough to raise tariffs after polls, say analysts
Vodafone Idea faces challenges in increasing ARPU through tariff hikes post-election, as price-sensitive customers resist. 42% of Vi users may downgrade or close secondary SIMs due to upcoming higher tariffs. Vi seeks to upgrade 2G to 4G, double Ebitda by 2025. Vi has been securing funds for 4G expansion and potential 5G rollout.
Another Ambani vs Mittal battle? A look into Airtel's African empire
Bharti Airtel's African venture has been a rollercoaster ride, starting with a bold move by chairman Sunil Mittal in 2008. Despite initial struggles, Airtel Africa has managed to establish a strong presence in 14 countries. Meanwhile, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries is making inroads into the African telecom market with 5G infrastructure solutions. As Airtel Africa faces currency woes, the stage is set for a potential showdown between the two telecom giants.
Minority shareholders question Bharti Telecom's plan to cut capital
The shareholders' counsel, in a submission before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), on Tuesday argued that the price offered by Bharti Telecom to shareholders for buying back their shares at ₹196 per equity share was significantly lower than the prevailing market rate. The counsel said five months before the capital reduction scheme, Bharti Telecom had issued shares at ₹310 to SingTel Group.
Airtel Africa’s Dutch hold-company completes $550 million bond repayment
During Airtel Africa’s IPO back in June 2019, the (Airtel Africa) Group had $2,719 million of external debt at the HoldCo level, which had resulted in significant exposure to currency fluctuations and the reliance on upstreaming funds to cover both interest costs and the principal repayment.
Vodafone Idea plans to open more retail outlets: Executive
Empowered by a recent infusion of equity funding, Vodafone Idea (Vi) aims to expand its network of retail outlets throughout this fiscal year. This strategic move is designed to bolster sales and enhance customer loyalty, essential for the financially constrained telecom operator to heighten its competitive stance against formidable adversaries like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
Vodafone Idea cash Ebitda seen growing 32% CAGR during FY24-28
Analysts predict Vodafone Idea's cash EBITDA to grow at a 32% compounded annual rate from FY24-28, aided by customer additions and average revenue per user (ARPU) growth driven by potential tariff increases. Following a targeted fundraise of Rs 45,000 crore, Vi is expected to achieve around 3.3% and 10% compounded annual growth in customer additions and ARPU respectively over FY24-28. However, caution is advised as Vi may need to provide about Rs 22,000 crore in bank guarantees to the government post the completion of the payment moratorium on regulatory payouts in September 2025.
Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea submit applications for upcoming Rs 96,317 crore spectrum auction
India's three private telecom operators, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, are set to bid for a piece of 5G spectrum worth Rs 96,317.65 crore in the next auction, set to start on June 6. The auction will cover airwaves in various bands, with the government expected to make some selective buying. The auction is expected to be a muted affair, with top telcos having sufficient 5G airwaves for their current needs.
Vi 2.0: Vodafone Idea's Rs 18,000 crore fundraise a 'fresh lease of life', says Kumar Mangalam Birla
Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla expressed optimism about Vodafone Idea's future after the company raised Rs 18,000 crore. Birla called it a "fresh lease of life" for the telco, which has been facing challenges from competitors like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. The funds will be used to improve the network, densify it, and selectively introduce 5G services, marking the beginning of 'Vi 2.0'. The company's overall debt now stands at Rs 4,000 crore, which Birla considers low.
Voda Idea a national asset, FPO sets stage for 2.0: KM Birla
“Vi is not just a telecom company. It’s a national asset with 215 million users and about 8000 MHz spectrum. That so many marquee investors participated in this equity issuance is a testament to the government’s vision of a digital India,” Birla said in an official statement following Vi’s FPO listing on the NSE Thursday.
FPO to put Voda Idea on growth path: SBI chairman
SBI chairman Khara credited Vi's FPO success to Birla's leadership, highlighting the telco's funding programs and competition goals. The retail investor trust in the Aditya Birla Group reflects confidence in Vi's future growth in the telecom sector.
Bharti Airtel says it has no desire to buy out Vodafone Plc’s share and up stake in Indus Towers
Bharti Airtel denies plans to increase its stake in Indus Towers, contrary to reports. Airtel asserts its commitment to maintaining Indus's financial stability, crucial for its telecom infrastructure. Speculations of Airtel acquiring Vodafone's stake could potentially grant it control, though Airtel refrains from such intentions.
Talk of the Tower: Airtel eyes Vodafone's 21.05% in Indus
Airtel is the biggest shareholder in Indus, with 47.95%; Vodafone Group has 21.05% and 30.97% is with the public, according to the tower company's latest filing with the BSE. A buyout of the Vodafone stake will boost Airtel's shareholding to 69%. Indus shares ended 2.9% higher at ₹359.65 on the BSE on Tuesday, giving it ₹96,923.41 crore market capitalisation.
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