DoT may approve merger of Vodafone, Idea Cellular in the next few days

Idea Cellular will have to furnish an undertaking that it will entertain all the liabilities whenever a final decision is taken by courts

The department of telecommunications (DoT) is likely to approve the merger of Vodafone and Idea Cellular in the next few days, making the combined entity the country’s largest mobile services operator.

Sources said all the wings of the DoT as well as Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan had given a go-ahead to the merger. After signature by Communications Minister Manoj Sinha, the approval document will be sent to the companies.

The sources further said neither company would have to pay big sums to the government as most dues, including licence fees and spectrum charges, were under litigation.
 

“Dues under judicial intervention