Bharti Airtel Ltd. has confirmed discussions with the Tata Group regarding a possible merger of Tata Play’s Direct-To-Home (DTH) business with Bharti Telemedia, Airtel’s DTH arm.
The statement follows media reports suggesting that both groups are close to finalizing a major DTH consolidation. However, Airtel clarified that the discussions are still in the early stages.
If the merger proceeds, Bharti Airtel is expected to hold a majority stake of around 52-55%, while Tata Play shareholders, including Walt Disney, would retain the remaining shares. Together, Airtel and Tata Play had approximately 35 million paid subscribers as of September, accounting for over half of India’s 60 million DTH subscribers. Reports estimate both businesses to be valued at ₹6,000-₹7,000 crore each.
Airtel and Ericsson Expand 5G Network
Separately, Airtel has partnered with Ericsson to deploy 5G Standalone (SA) technology, enhancing network efficiency and preparing for a full-scale 5G rollout. Ericsson will provide core 5G equipment, including signalling controllers and policy solutions, ensuring better network performance and monetization for Airtel. Unlike Non-Standalone 5G, SA 5G operates independently, offering improved speed and reliability.