Vodafone and Idea Telecom are two of the largest telecommunication companies in India. In March 2017, they announced a merger to create India’s largest telecommunications company with over 408 million customers, 35% customer market share, and 41% revenue market share. The merger was completed in August 2018, creating a new entity named Vodafone Idea Limited.

The merger was motivated by several factors, including intense competition from Jio, the entry of Reliance Jio into the Indian telecommunications market in 2016. Jio disrupted the market with its low-cost data services, causing a significant decline in prices and leading to a drop in revenue for other telecom companies, including Vodafone and Idea. The merger was seen as a way to counteract the effects of Jio’s disruptive entry and increase competitiveness in the market.

The merger was executed under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Competition Act, 2002. The Companies Act governs the process of mergers and acquisitions, and the Competition Act is intended to promote fair competition and prevent monopolies in the market.

However, the Vodafone Idea merger has also been plagued by significant financial challenges. The company is heavily in debt, with a total debt of Rs. 1,15,500 crore as of July 2020. This is primarily due to the Supreme Court of India’s decision to impose dues worth Rs. 58,000 Crores on the company for its past use of the spectrum and licenses. The company also faces challenges from declining revenue due to increased competition and a reduction in the prices of telecom services.

In conclusion, the Vodafone and Idea Telecom merger was a strategic move to counteract the entry of Reliance Jio into the Indian telecommunications market and increase competitiveness. However, the company is now heavily in debt due to a combination of legal dues and declining revenue.