Starting today, the Tata Teleservices subscribers will begin transitioning onto Bharti Airtel network under an Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) arrangement. Both the companies have just announced the news and said that the first batch of transition is being effected in UP (West), Bihar, and West Bengal.
Over the coming few weeks, all the customers of Tata Teleservices across all the circles will gradually transition to the Airtel network. That said, the Tata Teleservices customers can enjoy seamless services on the Airtel network with their existing SIMs itself, and will also be billed as per their current pack benefits.
To recall, last month, Bharti Airtel agreed to merge the Consumer Mobile Business (CMB) of Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Limited (TTML) into Airtel's customer base. Under the deal, Airtel will engross Tata subscriber base across the country.
Having said that, Airtel will receive more than 42 million subscribers onto its network from TTSL and TTML. Tata Teleservices has operations in 19 circles, and the merger will even bolster Airtel' spectrum footprint.
Airtel will receive 178.5 MHz spectrum, out of which 71.3 MHz spectrum is liberalised in the 850, 1800, and 2100 MHz bands. Currently, the acquisition is undergoing regulatory approvals, and recently, it was reported that the merger received CCI nod as well.
Ajai Puri, Chief Operating Officer, Bharti Airtel said: “We are delighted to welcome the Tata mobile customers on to India’s largest network and look forward to serving them with our world-class services. The transition will be fully seamless, and nothing changes for Tata customers, who will continue on the same SIM and plan.”
Rating agency Fitch also said that the merger would boost Airtel's market share by 3-5%. The deal will be a win-win situation for both sides, and it will take Airtel's overall revenue market share to 37-37%. If the acquisition receives all the approvals and if the 42 million subscribers move to Airtel, the leading telecom operator will extend its lead further and also crosses the 300 million subscriber mark.
