Telecom major Bharti Airtel will hold a majority stake in Indus Towers after the completion of the ongoing share buyback scheme, a regulatory filing said on Wednesday.

Telecom infrastructure major Indus Towers commenced the buyback of over 5.67 crore shares at ₹465 apiece on August 14, representing approximately 2.107 per cent of total number of equity shares in the paid-up share capital of the company.

"In terms of communication dated August 27, 2024 issued by Indus Towers, the shareholding of the company in Indus Towers will increase to more than 50 per cent (i.e. about 50.005 per cent) of its paid-up share capital, subject to completion of relevant activities within stipulated timelines for the said Buyback," Bharti Airtel said in a regulatory filing.

Bharti Airtel at present holds 48.95 per cent stake in Indus Towers and is part of the promoter group.

Indus Towers has set August 28 as the last date for completion of settlement of bids by the BSE.

In June, British telecom giant Vodafone PLC sold an 18 per cent stake in Indus Towers, raising ₹15,300 crore.

"After the stake sale, Vodafone's holding in Indus Towers reduced to 3.1 per cent, down from 21.5 per cent," Airtel said.

"Bharti Airtel acquired a 1 per cent stake, while US-based investment management fund Artisan Partners LP, along with SBI Funds Management and Life Insurance Corporation of India, held 2.69 per cent, 2.59 per cent, and 2.13 per cent respectively," the statement said.

Pesky calls

In a fresh offensive to curb pesky calls, regulator Trai has asked the industry that if a higher tariff should be introduced for all calls and SMSs beyond a certain limit in a graded manner.

In a discussion paper floated on "Review of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018", the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has mooted that telecom subscribers making over 50 calls or sending out even 50 SMS a day, along with certain other markers, should be scrutinised as a potential pesky callers.