Few people have left the kind of imprint on India's advertising canvas as Piyush Pandey. An observer who seemed to know what made the country tick, a man who could find humour in life's everyday struggles and spin magic from it, one who understood that to reach the masses you needed to communicate with them in their language and context -- he was all of this and more.
The police had filed charges in December against Bharti Airtel and Vodafone's India unit.
The world's largest mobile operator by revenue has begun the year on a bold note, backing the initial public offer plans of its Indian unit and sources say the ball has already been set rolling.
With several $500 million-plus deals in the pipeline -- including ICICI Prudential AMC, Lenskart, PhonePe, Groww, PhysicsWallah, Meesho, Pine Labs, and Zepto -- investment bankers look poised for another year of hefty bonuses in 2025.
A court ruled in favour of Vodafone on Friday in a long-running dispute with the Indian taxman, a boost for the British telecom group whose tax battles have been seen as emblematic of the troubles facing foreign investors in India.
IPOs have been the flavour of the season for some time. But the coming together of three mega IPOs, from diverse businesses and historic relevance, could tell a story that's still in the making, points out Nivedita Mookerji.
Indian-American executive Srini Gopalan has been appointed chief executive officer of telecom operator T-Mobile, amid ongoing debates over H-1B visa policies. Gopalan's appointment, effective from November 1, 2025, comes as US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a staggering $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, triggering widespread panic, concern and fear among Indian professionals on work visa.
British telecom player Vodafone on Wednesday said it has sold an 18 per cent stake in Indus Towers for 1.7 billion euro (about Rs 15,300 crore). Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel has increased its stake by acquiring 2.69 crore shares, representing a 1 per cent stake, in Indus Towers. The shares were acquired by Airtel at an average price of Rs 320 apiece, taking the transaction value to Rs 862.38 crore, as per the bulk deal data.
Vi partners SpaceX-rival AST SpaceMobile for satcom service on smartphones
Vodafone's operating loss from India business jumped to 692 million euros in April-September from 133 million euros in the same period last year.
Bharti Airtel sees opportunity in raising tariff for data services as it feels that rich are paying less and poor are not required to pay anymore, a senior official of the company said. During the company's earnings call for the first quarter of the current fiscal, Bharti Airtel vice-chairman and MD Gopal Vittal said that the company has written to the government for a relief on adjusted gross revenue and has demanded that it should be given benefit at par with other telecom operator, without naming Vodafone Idea.
While Airtel may be pushed to to No 3, Jio will find it mighty difficult to beat the new entity.
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In the process, Vodafone India's valuation rose 48.39 per cent since February 2012, when Piramal Enterprises bought 5.5 per cent stake in Vodafone India for Rs 3,007 crore (Rs 30.07 billion).
In a Diwali bonanza to its customers, Vodafone India on Thursday said it has slashed data rates by up to 80 per cent across the country, with effect from November 1.
"As someone who was born and raised in India, I recognise the urgent need for our youth to be empowered from a knowledge perspective. We believe the Foundation will become an effective catalyst in this regard, Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Arun Sarin said.
Vodafone Group Plc won the Indian cabinet's approval for its $1.6 billion deal to buy out minority partners in its unit in the country, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said on Thursday.
The investment was committed to by Vittorio Colao, CEO of Vodafone Group Plc.
The companies are being probed into for alleged corruption in spectrum allocation during NDA regime.
Vodafone on Thursday launched a new facility for its postpaid customers across the country enabling them to get a new number when they relocate to different state.
British telecom giant Vodafone Group plc on Friday won an arbitration against the Indian government over a demand for Rs 22,100 crore in taxes using retrospective legislation.
Incoming charges while roaming have been a hindrance to worry-free usage
The Supreme Court had ruled in Vodafone's favour in 2012.
In a significant move, Vodafone India on Tuesday said it has reduced data charges by up to 80 per cent in three circles and the new cheaper rates will be rolled out nationally in a phased manner.
The telecom operator had earlier sought the extension under Clause 4.1 of the licence agreement.
DoT has rejected the demand of Vodafone India for licence extension in three circles.
Cut-throat competition, high spectrum costs, and frequent flip-flops in government policies have made it difficult for Vodafone to make money in the country.
The government's stake in Vodafone Idea will more than double to 48.99 per cent as it is set to acquire shares worth Rs 36,950 crore in lieu of outstanding spectrum auction dues, the company said in a regulatory filing on Sunday.
The IPO is expected to bring handsome fees for the selected banks at a time when billion-dollar listings have become scarce
Country accounts for 38% of telco's global user base, 10% of total revenue
The government has in-principle approved refarming (shifting) of spectrum and was waiting for Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's recommendations in this regard to start the process and formalise it as part of the new telecom policy.
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have enough capacity to absorb over 113.9 million Vodafone Idea subscribers who are on 4G if Vodafone Idea has to shut operations.
Vodafone has to sell its entire stake in Airtel following new norms issued by government.
Vodafone India launched the 'World of Difference' (WOD) programme, a flagship initiative run by the Vodafone Foundation, for the second time in India.
Vodafone India in association with BIG Cinemas has launched a unique initiative to make its customers feel special. From August 12 to August 26, 2012, any Vodafone customer, who goes to see a movie in BIG Cinemas at Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Palanpur , Patan and Vapi, will get a Birthday surprise that will be a true delight!
Vodafone pleaded in High Court that IT department had no jurisdiction in the transfer pricing case because the said transaction was not international and did not attract tax.
The current termination charge is 10 paisa a minute.
World's second largest mobile operator Vodafone Plc of UK on Tuesday sought FIPB approval to invest Rs 10,141 crore (Rs 101.41 billion) in raising its stake in the Indian arm to 100 per cent.
It said that fixing reserve price of 800 MHz band at low levels benefits a certain set of operators.
The manner in which India has allowed the rule of law to be subverted for over eight years is tragic, notes former additional solicitor general of India Bishwajit Bhattacharyya.
With data as an extra product added to its offerings, rural operations have become more viable for the operator.
