Idea Cellular Must Backstop $2-Billion Spectrum Liabilities For Vodafone Merger

The combined operations of Idea and Vodafone will create the country’s largest telecom operator worth over $23 billion (or over Rs 1.5 lakh crore), with a 35 percent market share and a subscriber base of around 430 million.

The merger is expected to provide a breather to the two debt-ridden firms from cut-throat competition in the market where margins have hit rock bottom with free voice calls. The merged entity will have the capacity to provide 4G spectrum in all telecom circles.