(LiveMint)
The merged entity of Vodafone India Ltd and Idea Cellular Ltd is likely to face a conflict of interest when it plans to buy tenancies as the two companies have telecom tower operator American Tower Corp. (ATC) as a preferred vendor and at the same time also have stakes in its rival Indus Towers-Bharti Infratel combine.
“There is a conflict of interest here… if earlier promises cannot be implemented… there can’t be sweetheart deals because there is a risk of some legal action if the small player is disadvantaged,” a person with direct knowledge of the matter said, requesting anonymity. “Ultimately, it will come down to normal market principle and market pricing,” the person cited above said. Emails sent to Vodafone India, Idea, Bharti Airtel Ltd and ATC were unanswered till press time. T