Vodafone Thought (Vi) is in discussions with lenders to lift roughly Rs 250 billion (USD 2.9 billion) in long-term loans to improve its community infrastructure and compete extra successfully with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, Bloomberg reported, citing sources conversant in the matter.
Additionally Learn: Authorities Weighs Reduction Choices for Vodafone Thought Amid Survival Considerations
SBI to Lead Lending Consortium
The State Financial institution of India (SBI) is anticipated to steer a consortium of lenders for the funding, which can seemingly comprise a mixture of home and international loans with a tenor of round 10 years. The transfer marks a renewed try by the telecom operator to safe financing after earlier plans have been deferred on account of considerations over its weak financials and substantial authorities dues, based on the report.
The fundraising efforts have gained momentum amid studies that the Indian authorities might provide aid to telecom corporations on their excellent statutory dues. Vodafone Thought has been steadily dropping subscribers to rivals and is searching for capital to roll out quicker networks and arrest the decline in its market share.
Additionally Learn: Authorities Stake in Vodafone Thought Rises to 48.99 % After Recent Fairness Allotment
Authorities Stake and Fundraising
In April, the federal government elevated its stake in Vodafone Thought to 48.99 p.c by changing a portion of the corporate’s spectrum dues into fairness. Regardless of this, the corporate continues to face important monetary stress.
The corporate’s board had in Could authorized plans to lift Rs 200 billion via a mixture of fairness and debt. The present discussions purpose to complement these efforts, with the mortgage course of anticipated to conclude inside a yr.
World banks are additionally anticipated to hitch the consortium, sources have been quoted as saying within the report, including that the fundraising drive can be concluded in a yr.
Additionally Learn: Communications Minister Guidelines Out AGR Reduction, Says Vodafone Thought Should Stand on Its Personal
No Official Reduction Communication But
In the meantime, in an trade clarification sought on Tuesday, June 24, Vodafone Thought mentioned that it had not acquired any official communication from the federal government concerning potential aid on dues.
“That is as regards to the information article appeared in Mainstream Media on 24 June 2025, titled “Vodafone Thought shares leap over 7 p.c on studies of Govt. contemplating aid on Rs 84,000 crore dues” and the ensuing materials worth motion within the Scrip of the Firm immediately i.e. on 24 June 2025.”
“We’ve got not acquired any communication from the Authorities in relation to the above-reported matter. As and when there’s any growth which requires disclosure, we are going to do the needful,” Vodafone Thought clarified.
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