Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecom operator today announced that they have entered into an agreement to merge Consumer Mobile Businesses (CMB) of Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Limited (TTML) into Bharti Airtel.
Airtel released a press statement saying that the acquisition is subject to requisite regulatory approvals. So, under this agreement, Airtel will engross Tata CMB’s operations across the country in 19 circles (17 under TTSL and 2 under TTML). Tata CMB combinedly has over 40 million customers across 19 circles.
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Having said that, the proposed merger will include the transfer of all the customers and assets of Tata CMB to Bharti Airtel, further augmenting Bharti Airtel’s overall customer base and network.
In addition, the merger will bolster Airtel' strong spectrum footprint, especially with the addition of 178.5 MHz spectrum (of which 71.3 MHz is liberalised) in the 850, 1800 & 2100 MHz bands.
After the merger, Bharti Airtel will ensure quality services to Tata CMB customers. However, it is to be noted that Tata CMB's operations and services will continue as normal until the completion of the transaction. "Tata and Bharti Airtel will work together to further explore other mutual areas of cooperation, that will be value accretive for both the Groups," said the company in a press statement.
With this merger, Airtel has the right to use existing fibre network of Tata. Airtel announced that the merger is being done on a debt-free cash-free basis, except for Bharti Airtel assuming a small portion of the unpaid spectrum liability of Tata’s towards the DoT, which is to be paid on the deferred basis.
"The employees of Tata will be demerged on the lines of the two businesses i.e. CMB and EFL (Enterprise and Fixed Line and Broadband), and post an optimal manpower planning will be moved accordingly," read the press statement of Airtel.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel, said, “This is a significant development towards further consolidation in the Indian mobile industry and reinforces our commitment to lead India’s digital revolution by offering world-class and affordable telecom services through a robust technology and solid spectrum portfolio. On completion, the proposed acquisition will undergo seamless integration, both on the customer as well as the network side, and further strengthen our market position in several key circles. The customers of Tata will be able to enjoy India’s widest and fastest voice & data network, and a bouquet of Airtel’s best-in-class products and services.”
“The acquisition of additional spectrum made an attractive business proposition. It will further strengthen our already solid portfolio and create substantial long-term value for our shareholders given the significant synergies," he added.
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, said, “We believe today's agreement is the best and most optimal solution for the Tata Group and its stakeholders. Finding the right home for our longstanding customers and our employees have been the priority for us. We have evaluated multiple options and are pleased to have this agreement with Bharti.”
Bharti Board and Boards of Tata Sons, TTSL and TTML who met today afternoon also approved the merger. Airtel and Tata Sons did not announce when the merger is expected to be completed.
