Tower companies follow in operators' footsteps with consolidation

A KKR-led consortium is in talks to buy Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel. If the deal goes through, it will help Bharti Airtel pare debt and take on Reliance Jio

The dynamics of telecom sector has changed since 2016 with the consolidation of mobile operators becoming a reality and the country moving towards an era of four-five telecom companies. 

Now, the mobile tower companies are also seen to be moving in the direction of consolidation with reports of private equity firm KKR-led consortium in talks to buy Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel.

If the deal goes through, it will help Bharti Airtel to pare debt, which stood at over Rs 87,000 crore at the end of June quarter. The proceeds will also give Airtel more financial strength to take on