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Tag: Idea

  • Hathway Bhawani MD and CEO Sameer Joseph quits

    Hathway Bhawani MD and CEO Sameer Joseph quits

    MUMBAI:  Hathway Bhawani Cabletel and Datacom’s managing director and CEO Sameer Joseph has resigned with immediate effect, that is, 4 October, 2017. 

    With an experience of 20+ years of successful track record in service, financial service, FMCG and telecom industry working with brands like TNT, Coke, Idea, Airtel, Tata & Uninor.

    Joseph had joined Hathway Bhawani in November 2016 as the senior vice-president – operations and managing director. Prior to joining Hathway Bhawani, he worked as the vice-president and national sales and distribution head with Sun Telenor Payment Bank. 

    He also worked with Uninor as the associate vice-president and regional sales and distribution head (north and west ) for six years.

  • $23 bn Voda-Idea merger approved, 407 mn combined subs

    MUMBAI: Consolidation in the telecom sector seems to be progressing well, especially in the backdrop of big leaps by the new entrant Reliance Jio.

    The Competition Commission of India reportedly approved US$23 billion Vodafone-Idea merger unconditionally, with no additional scrutiny. Idea and Vodafone had, in March 2017, decided to join hands to take on intense competition, eventually creating India’s largest telecoms operator.

    Vodafone India advisor Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, in a statement, said the regulator had approved the merger. Idea advisor Trilegal stated that the merger would create significant efficiencies and synergies.

    The combined entity would become the largest in terms of subscribers (over 407 million), revenue market share (41 per cent), subscriber market share (almost 34.50 per cent) and spectrum holdings (1850 Mhz). Market leader Bharti has over 278.60 million subscribers, around 35.6 per cent revenue market share (RMS), 23.59 per cent subscriber market share (SMS) and 1489 Mhz of spectrum holdings.

    The regulator has sent the letters of approval to Idea and Vodafone. NCLT is the agency which will ensure the merger is in accordance with DoT and M&A guidelines.

    Now, Idea and Vodafone will have to move to SEBI for required approvals.  Other regulatory approvals for the merger are reportedly anticipated in six months. Idea and Vodafone have assured the government they would return spectrum in whichever circle mandated.

    ALSO READ :

    Idea-Vodafone India merger creates leader with 42% market share

    Four telcos will emerge from India consolidation, predicts CCS Insight

     

  • Phonographic Digital will license & collect fees from telcos & streaming services

    MUMBAI: Significant change is afoot in the Indian music industry. Almost unnoticed, a new organisation has cropped up to licence and collect fees from the various telcos and streaming services. Called the Phonographic Digital Ltd (PDL) it was incorporated in March 2017, just as the financial year was coming to a close, with its registered office in Kolkata.

    Earlier, the Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), which was headed by Vipul Pradhan as its CEO, was mandated to assign licences on behalf of its Indian label members to the various telecom operators such as Airtel, JioMusic, Idea, Vodafone, and streaming services and collect royalties from them.

    The PPL will continue as in the past to be a collection organisation for public performance of sound recordings from establishments, events and radio.

    Read the full report here:

    Indian music industry sets up PDL, a new association for telco licensing

  • Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

    Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

    NEW DELHI: Vodafone Group Plc today confirmed that it was in discussions with the Aditya Birla Group about an all share merger of Vodafone India (excluding Vodafone’s 42% stake in Indus Towers) and Idea.

    Vodafone group general counsel and company secretary Rosemary Martin said, “Any merger would be effected through the issue of new shares in Idea to Vodafone and would result in Vodafone deconsolidating Vodafone India.”

    “There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor as to the terms or timing of any transaction.”

    Reacting to recent media speculation regarding a potential combination of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular (“Idea”), she said: “This announcement contains inside information.”

    Although, earlier, there were reports that Vodafone may be seeking merger with Idea or Jio, experts believed a merger with the former was a possibility. Vodafone had launched several tariffs to browbeat competition from Airtel and Jio. The Indian unit is reportedly seeking a merger with one of the top telecom companies following intensified competition. Vodafone may be keen for a possible tie-up with Idea, Jio or another of the top three providers. Jio’s aggressive tariffs and heavy investments started impacting competitor a few weeks after it entered.

    Also read:  Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

  • Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

    Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

    NEW DELHI: Vodafone Group Plc today confirmed that it was in discussions with the Aditya Birla Group about an all share merger of Vodafone India (excluding Vodafone’s 42% stake in Indus Towers) and Idea.

    Vodafone group general counsel and company secretary Rosemary Martin said, “Any merger would be effected through the issue of new shares in Idea to Vodafone and would result in Vodafone deconsolidating Vodafone India.”

    “There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor as to the terms or timing of any transaction.”

    Reacting to recent media speculation regarding a potential combination of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular (“Idea”), she said: “This announcement contains inside information.”

    Although, earlier, there were reports that Vodafone may be seeking merger with Idea or Jio, experts believed a merger with the former was a possibility. Vodafone had launched several tariffs to browbeat competition from Airtel and Jio. The Indian unit is reportedly seeking a merger with one of the top telecom companies following intensified competition. Vodafone may be keen for a possible tie-up with Idea, Jio or another of the top three providers. Jio’s aggressive tariffs and heavy investments started impacting competitor a few weeks after it entered.

    Also read:  Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

  • TRAI: HC asks Idea, DoT to file affidavit on plea

    TRAI: HC asks Idea, DoT to file affidavit on plea

    MUMBAI: Idea Cellular Ltd. has moved the Delhi High Court against TRAI’s recommendation to impose a penalty of Rs 950 crore for allegedly not providing interconnection to Reliance Jio (RJIO), even as Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said the plea was premature. 

    The DoT claimed before a bench of the justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal and chief justice G Rohini that Idea’s petition was not maintainable as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had only given a recommendation, PTI reported.

    Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for DoT, opposed maintainability of the plea. Once DoT takes a decision, he said, it could become an appealable order.

    The bench, thereafter, issued notice to TRAI and DoT and asked them to file affidavits on the issue of maintainability of Idea’s plea before the next date of hearing on 21 February.

    Idea, in its request, claimed that it complied with the requirements of RJio for points of interconnections (PoIs). As of 19 January 2016, it allocated 19,175 PoIs to RJio and contended that congestion and call failures were a consequence of RJio’s “gross underestimation” of the traffic, volume, and duration of calls on its network due to its free offers.

    In its plea, Idea has also contended that there was inconsistency between TRAI’s Interconnection Regulations and Quality of Service Regulations.

    Earlier, terming it as “premature”, the central government opposed a plea by the telecom major Vodafone Mobile Services challenging TRAI’s recommendation to impose Rs 1,050 crore penalty for not providing interconnectivity to Reliance Jio.

    The government rejected the plea by Vodafone, which operates in 21 circles, against a penalty of Rs 50 crore per telecom circle recommended by TRAI. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had suggested the penalty on grounds that Vodafone had violated terms and conditions relating to points of interconnection among service providers.

    Also Read:  Respond to Vodafone’s TRAI challenge in two weeks, govt directed

  • TRAI: HC asks Idea, DoT to file affidavit on plea

    TRAI: HC asks Idea, DoT to file affidavit on plea

    MUMBAI: Idea Cellular Ltd. has moved the Delhi High Court against TRAI’s recommendation to impose a penalty of Rs 950 crore for allegedly not providing interconnection to Reliance Jio (RJIO), even as Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said the plea was premature. 

    The DoT claimed before a bench of the justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal and chief justice G Rohini that Idea’s petition was not maintainable as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had only given a recommendation, PTI reported.

    Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for DoT, opposed maintainability of the plea. Once DoT takes a decision, he said, it could become an appealable order.

    The bench, thereafter, issued notice to TRAI and DoT and asked them to file affidavits on the issue of maintainability of Idea’s plea before the next date of hearing on 21 February.

    Idea, in its request, claimed that it complied with the requirements of RJio for points of interconnections (PoIs). As of 19 January 2016, it allocated 19,175 PoIs to RJio and contended that congestion and call failures were a consequence of RJio’s “gross underestimation” of the traffic, volume, and duration of calls on its network due to its free offers.

    In its plea, Idea has also contended that there was inconsistency between TRAI’s Interconnection Regulations and Quality of Service Regulations.

    Earlier, terming it as “premature”, the central government opposed a plea by the telecom major Vodafone Mobile Services challenging TRAI’s recommendation to impose Rs 1,050 crore penalty for not providing interconnectivity to Reliance Jio.

    The government rejected the plea by Vodafone, which operates in 21 circles, against a penalty of Rs 50 crore per telecom circle recommended by TRAI. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had suggested the penalty on grounds that Vodafone had violated terms and conditions relating to points of interconnection among service providers.

    Also Read:  Respond to Vodafone’s TRAI challenge in two weeks, govt directed

  • Idea, Star Den among Rs-1200 cr FDI proposals approved; latter to switch to investing biz

    Idea, Star Den among Rs-1200 cr FDI proposals approved; latter to switch to investing biz

    NEW DELHI: Star Den Media Services and Idea Cellular are among the six proposals cleared by the government on Thursday for receiving foreign direct investment (FDI) of around Rs 1,200 crore.

    Other companies that have been cleared are — Sanofi Synthelabo India, Recipharm Participation B.V. Netherlands, Boehringer Ingelheim India Pvt. Ltd, A. Menarini India Private Limited. Six proposals have been deferred for further discussions — Gland Pharma Limited, Flag Telecom Singapore Pte Limited, Crest Premedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Scientific Publishing Services Pvt Ltd, You Broadband India Limited and Netmagic Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

    There were a total of 17 proposals recommended by FIPB  in its meeting held on 29 December 2016 headed by economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das.

    Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services Ltd’s proposal to take on record the increase of foreign investment in ICISL beyond 50 per cent and allow foreign investment in ICISL up to 67.5 per cent received approval.

    Star Den Media Services’ proposal to discontinue its existing business of providing support services to broadcasters in relation to TV channel distribution business, and thus continue to act only as investing company was also okayed.

    The Finance Ministry on the recommendation of the Foreign Investments Promotion Board has thus given permission to Den only to continue as investing company. Thus, no new foreign investment is involved.

    The committee deferred decision on a proposal by Flag Telecom Singapore Pte Limited Singapore, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Communications (RCOM), India seeking approval to acquire 100 per cent shares of M/s Reliance Global Cloud Xchange Limited which was incorporated in June 2016 by Indian residents.

    A proposal by M/s Crest Premedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd seeking approval for issuance of equity shares to the non-resident shareholders of M/s Springer SBM Holding Ltd., a Mauritius Company under a Scheme of Amalgamation was also deferred. SBM Holding will amalgamate into CPSPL, which is part of the Springer Group of companies.  

    M/s You Broadband India Limited had sought post facto approval for acquisition of 9,79,875 equity shares of its downstream company M/s Digital Outsourcing Private Limited (DOPL) in lieu of issue of 20,58,759 equity shares to its resident shareholders by way of swap of shares but this was deferred today.

    A proposal by Netmagic Solutions Pvt. Ltd for the increase in the shareholding of NTT Communications Corporation, Japan in the company from 81.63 per cent to 100 per cent was deferred, as was a proposal by M/s Scientific Publishing Services Pvt Ltd for issuance of equity shares to the non-resident shareholders of M/s Springer SBM Services Limited, a Mauritius Company under a Scheme of Amalgamation of SBM Services with SPSPL, pursuant to approval of the High Court.

    Also Read :

    Nod to Idea, Star Den & four may fetch Rs 1200 cr FDI; You & Crest proposals deferred

    Star Den, Flag Telecom, You & Idea FDI meet on 28 Dec

     

  • Idea, Star Den among Rs-1200 cr FDI proposals approved; latter to switch to investing biz

    Idea, Star Den among Rs-1200 cr FDI proposals approved; latter to switch to investing biz

    NEW DELHI: Star Den Media Services and Idea Cellular are among the six proposals cleared by the government on Thursday for receiving foreign direct investment (FDI) of around Rs 1,200 crore.

    Other companies that have been cleared are — Sanofi Synthelabo India, Recipharm Participation B.V. Netherlands, Boehringer Ingelheim India Pvt. Ltd, A. Menarini India Private Limited. Six proposals have been deferred for further discussions — Gland Pharma Limited, Flag Telecom Singapore Pte Limited, Crest Premedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Scientific Publishing Services Pvt Ltd, You Broadband India Limited and Netmagic Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

    There were a total of 17 proposals recommended by FIPB  in its meeting held on 29 December 2016 headed by economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das.

    Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services Ltd’s proposal to take on record the increase of foreign investment in ICISL beyond 50 per cent and allow foreign investment in ICISL up to 67.5 per cent received approval.

    Star Den Media Services’ proposal to discontinue its existing business of providing support services to broadcasters in relation to TV channel distribution business, and thus continue to act only as investing company was also okayed.

    The Finance Ministry on the recommendation of the Foreign Investments Promotion Board has thus given permission to Den only to continue as investing company. Thus, no new foreign investment is involved.

    The committee deferred decision on a proposal by Flag Telecom Singapore Pte Limited Singapore, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Communications (RCOM), India seeking approval to acquire 100 per cent shares of M/s Reliance Global Cloud Xchange Limited which was incorporated in June 2016 by Indian residents.

    A proposal by M/s Crest Premedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd seeking approval for issuance of equity shares to the non-resident shareholders of M/s Springer SBM Holding Ltd., a Mauritius Company under a Scheme of Amalgamation was also deferred. SBM Holding will amalgamate into CPSPL, which is part of the Springer Group of companies.  

    M/s You Broadband India Limited had sought post facto approval for acquisition of 9,79,875 equity shares of its downstream company M/s Digital Outsourcing Private Limited (DOPL) in lieu of issue of 20,58,759 equity shares to its resident shareholders by way of swap of shares but this was deferred today.

    A proposal by Netmagic Solutions Pvt. Ltd for the increase in the shareholding of NTT Communications Corporation, Japan in the company from 81.63 per cent to 100 per cent was deferred, as was a proposal by M/s Scientific Publishing Services Pvt Ltd for issuance of equity shares to the non-resident shareholders of M/s Springer SBM Services Limited, a Mauritius Company under a Scheme of Amalgamation of SBM Services with SPSPL, pursuant to approval of the High Court.

    Also Read :

    Nod to Idea, Star Den & four may fetch Rs 1200 cr FDI; You & Crest proposals deferred

    Star Den, Flag Telecom, You & Idea FDI meet on 28 Dec

     

  • Nod to Idea, Star Den & four may fetch Rs 1200 cr FDI; You & Crest proposals deferred

    Nod to Idea, Star Den & four may fetch Rs 1200 cr FDI; You & Crest proposals deferred

    MUMBAI: Inter-ministerial body Foreign Investment Promotion Board has okayed six investment proposals, including Idea Cellular and Star Den Media Services expecting an investment of Rs 1,200 crore (USD 176.5 million).

    Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services (ICISL) had filed an application to raise foreign investment level in it to 67.5 per cent. ICISL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Idea, which has become a foreign-owned firm with more than 50 per cent overseas investment. Star Den Media Services Pvt. Ltd. develops and distributes television, cable, and the related network platforms. It offers a platform for distributing television channels in India through all fixed networks including cable, direct to home, and internet protocol television.

    Other proposals which got a go-ahead are — Sanofi Synthelabo India, Boehringer Ingelheim India, A Menarini India Pvt Ltd and Recipharm Participation. The FIPB, led by the economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das, rejected three proposals, including AMP Solar India Pvt Ltd. and six proposals were deferred for further consultation and want of more information.

    Among the proposals deferred were You Broadband India, Crest Premedia Solutions and Scientific Publishing Services.

    Indiantelevision.com had earlier reported that the board will consider 17 foreign investment proposals on 28 December, including that of Star Den Media.

    FIPB had in June this year rejected a proposal of Flag Telecom Singapore, a wholly-owned unit of Reliance Communications (RCom), to set up a telecom subsidiary in India. Flag Telecom reportedly planned to acquire a company, payout for which would have been around US$120 million — in two parts.

    India allows FDI in some of the industry sectors via the automatic route, but, in certain segments that are considered sensitive for the economy and security, the proposals need to be cleared by FIPB first. FIPB had earlier met on 26 September to consider foreign investment proposals, including that of Idea Cellular.

    The Indian government has taken a series of measures in the recent past to give a fillip to foreign direct investment. In the first half of the current fiscal year, the inflows were USD 21.62 billion. FDI increased by 29 per cent to USD 40 billion in 2015-16 as compared to the previous fiscal.

    Also Read:

    Star Den, Flag Telecom, You & Idea FDI meet on 28 Dec

    Govt defers decision on FDI for Vodafone to acquire You Broadband