Vodafone India, Idea Cellular agree merger

(Telecompaper) Vodafone Group and Indian mobile operator Idea Cellular have agreed to combine their operations in India. The merger agreement excludes Vodafone's 42 percent stake in Indus Towers. Vodafone says the combined company would have almost 400 million customers across the country, with a 35 percent customer market share and 41 percent revenue market share. The name of the combined listed company will be changed in due course.