Vodafone-Idea Users May Have to Get New SIMs Post Merger: Reports

The telecom giant will topple Bharti Airtel from its current pole position.

New Delhi: After receiving the final approval for the merger of Vodafone and Idea merger, the company is now engaged in making necessary changes. As reported, the company is planning to close its old SIMs. The customer will now have to purchase new SIM with the new name. After the merger, the company will also come up with its new name.

However, there is no confirmation on these reports from the company. It is also reported that the new SIM will be issued only to new users and it will update the date of the old users themselves. Old customers may not have to change their SIM.

The two company merger will have all India revenue market share of 32.2 per cent and take the numero uno slot in nine telecom circles, it said adding that both Vodafone and Idea brands will continue.

The telecom giant will topple Bharti Airtel from its current pole position and will have the firepower to take on competition in the Indian telecom market, which has intensified with the aggressive entry of Reliance Jio. It will have a broadband network of 3.4 lakh sites and distribution network with 17 lakh retail outlets.

The combination will have a wide spectrum portfolio of about 1,850 MHz, over 2 lakh mobile sites and about 2.35 lakh km of fibre. This will allow it to offer “superior voice and broadband connectivity across the country, covering 92 per cent of the population and reaching nearly 5,00,000 towns and villages,” a statement said.

Himanshu Kapania has stepped down from the position of Managing Director of Idea Cellular with effect from August 31, 2018, but shall serve as non-executive director of the new company. Shares of Idea Cellular were trading 1.10 per cent higher at Rs 50.40 apiece on BSE.

(With PTI inputs)