LONDON, UK: Vodafone Group holds 757.8 million shares in Indus Towers Limited, equivalent to a 28.1% shareholding, a bourse filing noted. As much as 190.7 million of these shares, equivalent to a 7.1% shareholding, are currently pledged to Indus as part of the security arrangements entered into between Vodafone and Indus at the time of the merger of Indus Towers with Bharti Infratel.

Vodafone has launched a placing of 63.6 million shares in Indus Towers through an accelerated book build offering. This represents 2.4% of Indus’ outstanding share capital.

Vodafone is also in advanced discussions with one of the largest shareholders in Indus for the purchase of up to 127.1m Indus shares from Vodafone, or 4.7% of Indus’ outstanding share capital, which represents the remaining balance of Primary Shares.

The terms of such an agreement are currently being discussed and there can be no certainty that the sale will proceed. Should the sale be completed, Vodafone would retain 567.2 million shares in Indus, or a 21.0% shareholding.

In addition, Vodafone is also in discussions with several interested parties in relation to a potential sale of the Residual Shareholding. A further announcement will be made as soon as practicable if any further agreements are reached.

Vodafone and the Aditya Birla Group (ABG), the promoters of Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi), are committed to support Vi in its efforts to strengthen its balance sheet. The first step in this process included the conversion of US$2.1bn of AGR and spectrum interest into equity, which will make the Indian Government the largest shareholder of Vi.

Vodafone and ABG intend to contribute towards an issue of equity shares by Vi (a Capital Raise) once the terms of such a Capital Raise have been evaluated and decided on by the Board of Directors of Vi.

Vodafone and Indus have modified the Security Arrangements in order to allow Vodafone to dispose of the pledged primary shares and use the proceeds to participate in an issue of new shares by Vi.

The modified terms will continue to provide security to Indus for an equivalent amount of payments by Vi under the Master Services Agreements. Any residual proceeds from the sale of the Primary Shares that are not used by Vodafone to subscribe for new shares in Vi will be available to Indus until 19 November 2022 to guarantee Vi’s obligations under the Master Services Agreements.