Voda-Idea merger may be delayed by 2-3 months; DoT to issue demand notice

The new operator would be the country's largest telecom company, with a revenue market share of around 37 per cent and 433 million subscribers

The merger of Vodafone with Idea is likely to be delayed, at the least by by two or three months,; it could be longer.

This will happen if the duo decide to challenge a demand from the department of telecommunications (DoT) regarding various spectrum charges. The two companies were earlier expecting to complete the merger formalities and regulatory approvals by June 30 and to start operating as one entity from July 1.

According to sources, DoT is set to issue a demand notice of Rs 45-50 billion to the companies this week on spectrum charge. Most such charges on companies have been