Update: Airtel refused to comment on the speculations in a reply (pdf) to the BSE stating that "as a matter of policy, (the company) does not wish to comment on the present speculative news item and will make necessary disclosures at an appropriate time." India’s largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel is in talks with Swedish telecom operator Telenor to acquire the latter’s India business unit for $350 million, reports ET Now. Airtel could acquire half of Telenor India's liabilities, while Telenor is expected to hold the remaining half. The deal is likely to be closed by end of January, added the report. Bharti Airtel declined to comment on MediaNama’s written queries, while Telenor said that “as a general principle, we do not comment on rumors or speculations in the market”. During Q3 2016, Telenor India’s subscriber base dropped to 44.772 million from 44.907 million subscribers in the preceding quarter, losing at least 185,000 subscribers. At that time, the company mentioned that it was evaluating options in India. It currently has operations in UP (West), UP (East), Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat circles. The telco had said that its long-term presence in India is subjected to its ability to secure additional spectrum, as indicated by this report in April. Telenor did not participate in the 2016 spectrum auctions stating that the reserve prices did not give “an acceptable level of return.” In May the company criticized the telecom commission’s approval of base price for the crucial 700 MHz spectrum, and its decision to hike upfront payments to 50% from the earlier 10% proposed by the TRAI…
