Vodafone-Idea merger approved by Telecom Ministry but with some payment conditions

New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Monday approved the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular that will create the country’s largest mobile services operator, an official source said. “DoT has cleared the Vodafone-Idea merger today. They will have to meet conditions for final approval,” the source said on Monday. The department has asked Idea Cellular to pay Rs 3,926 crore in cash for Vodafone spectrum and furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 3,342 crore, the source further said. [caption id=“attachment_4300049” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Idea-Vodafone. Representational image.[/caption] 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 give a breather to both debt-ridden firms Idea and Vodafone, from cut-throat competition in the market where margins have hit rock bottom with free voice calls. The combined debt of both the companies is estimated to be around Rs 1.15 lakh crore.