New Delhi: India’s telecom regulator has suggested capping foreign holding at 74% in telecom tower companies, a proposal if accepted could dissuade buyouts by overseas companies.
It could also mean New York-listed American Tower, the only major foreign telecom tower company in India, will have to look for a local partner when the proposal becomes rule.
A Reliance Communications spokesman said the company cannot comment on “speculations”. American Tower could not be reached immediately for a comment.
India allows foreign companies to own up to 74% of mobile operators, but there is no restriction on holdings in tower companies. The regulator is now proposing to bring tower companies under the so-called “Unified Licence” regime that now covers only the carriers.
In draft proposals released last Friday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) sought industry comments on the “maximum time” that should be given to tower companies to comply with the new foreign holding conditions.
After consultation with the industry, the regulator will send its final proposals to the government, which has to approve them before they become effective. The proposals are not binding on the government.
India’s telecom tower sector is highly fragmented although the top six companies control about 90% of the business.
Indus Towers -- a joint venture between carriers Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular -- is the country’s biggest tower company with more than 100,000 towers. The Reliance Communications unit has about 50,000 towers.
