Idea Cellular to raise Rs 32 bn from promoter group entities

The Idea Cellular board on Thursday approved raising about Rs 32.50 billion from the entities under the promoter Aditya Birla Group by issuing 326.6 million equity shares on a preferential basis.

Idea Cellular Board forms a panel to evaluate potential routes for raising further capital of up to Rs 35 billion.

"The Board of Directors of Idea Cellular Limited (Idea), today approved issuance of about 326.6 million equity shares, face value of Rs 10 per share, at a price of Rs 99.50 per share (in accordance with SEBI ICDR Regulations) on preferential basis," the statement said.

The shares will be issued to entities under Aditya Birla Group — Birla TMT Holdings Private Limited, Elaine Investments Pte Ltd (Singapore), Oriana Investments Pte Ltd (Singapore), Surya Kiran Investments Pte Ltd (Singapore), the statement said.

"The aggregate capital infusion will be of Rs 32,500 million," the statement said.

The issue is expected to complete by early February, 2018, subject to regulatory approvals, post which the shareholding of Promoter group in Idea will increase to about 47.2 per cent from existing level of around 42.4 per cent.

"The Aditya Birla Group remains committed towards the telecom business. The group is in the process of creating a large digital infrastructure...At a time when the telecom industry is going through a challenging environment, this equity infusion by the Group in Idea is another step towards reinforcing the group's commitment," Idea Cellular Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said.

Idea will further explore potential ways of raising additional fund to the tune of around Rs 35 billion which would include further preferential issue, qualified institutional placement (QIP), rights issue etc.

Idea will also explore potential monetisation of company's 11.15 per cent stake in Indus Towers — its joint venture with Bharti Airtel and Vodafone.

During the first nine months of the financial year 2017- 18, Idea has added over 33,500 wireless broadband sites and currently it has about 143,500 broadband sites, as per the statement.

Idea also has plans to launch its VoLTE (Voice over 4G network) services in 2018.