www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Bharti Airtel, the Indian mobile operator and MTN, the South African mobile group could experience a rise in debt levels taking the combined total to USD 6.3 billion if the deal goes ahead. Bharti’s debt is likely to hike to around USD 3.6 billion and MTN’s to around USD 2.7 billion, although Bharti is likely to see additional net debt of USD 4 billion and MTN an additional USD 2.9 billion.
The deal on the merger between the two giants could be inked by mid-July. “The two parties are conducting due diligence and at this point there are no concerns about the deal being derailed,” a source revealed. “If it continues like this there should be a final agreement by mid-July, if not earlier.”