What should be the limit on market share after M & A in Telecom space ?

TRAI's consultation paper on licensing norms review has attracted following views from major Indian Telcos :


State-owned BSNL has suggested lowering of the market share limit to 40 per cent from the current 67 per cent following the merger and acquisitions of two entities in the telecom sector to avoid monopolistic situation. "It is felt that the existing provision of 67 per cent market share will create non-competitive or monopolistic situation. It is, therefore, suggested that this limit should be brought down to about 40 per cent"


Vodafone Essar, which has recently acquired number two slot in terms of subscriber base, said "We are of the opinion that the 67 per cent limit is appropriate when applied to a narrow mobile market definition. "But regime of the current M&A Guidelines, not a single intra-circle merger between licensees has taken place to date and it cannot be said that the current guidelines have produced an environment of undue consolidation. The guidelines, therefore, remain appropriate."


CDMA player Tata Teleservices wants this cap to be at 45 per cent. "We recommend a maximum market share of 45 per cent for the merged entity," the company said. The PSU also wants fixing a maximum spectrum limit that would be held by a merged entity be. It also does not want any merger to be allowed between a CDMA and a GSM company. Vodafone Essar said the merged entity should have a spectrum limit.