Airtel-Telenor merger: Is consolidation only answer to battle Reliance Jio?

Expectations have grown for continued consolidation

 India's top telecom network operator Bharti Airtel is buying Norwegian Telenor's India unit, in yet another consolidation move driven by upstart rival Jio's disruptive pricing.

The deal highlights how the entry late last year of Reliance Industries' wireless carrier Jio is shaking up India's crowded telecoms sector. With its free voice and deeply discounted data plans, Jio has pushed rivals to slash rates, sharply eroding their profits.

Consolidation only solution?

Entry of Reliance Jio in September 2016 and its free promotional offers have forced the industry to work towards consolidation. Some experts are of the view that consolidation is the only answer