In its pursuit to become a leading player in telecom space, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries group may have to acquire younger brother Anil-run Reliance Communications (RCom), a report has said.
RIL's proposed re-entry into telecom sector is currently limited to broadband wireless business and it might have to acquire "one or more extant telecom operators" in the voice segment, brokerage firm Kotak Institutional Equities said in an equity research report on Reliance Industries.
The report further said that the acquisition route might also not be much value-accretive, unless RIL can acquire RCom, which became part of the Anil Ambani group as part of a family settlement between the two brothers in 2005.
Kotak Institutional Equities, however, immediately clarified that it was not aware of RIL's interest in acquiring RCom or whether Anil Ambani group was interested in selling the telecom venture to Mukesh-led RIL group.
Both RIL and ADAG groups did not reply to emailed PTI queries seeking their comments on the report. The specific queries on whether they were interested in any deal involving acquisition of RCom by RIL also remained unanswered.
Last year, RIL acquired 95% stake in Infotel Broadband Services, which emerged as a successful bidder for pan-India Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum sold by the government. RIL has invested over Rs 4,200 crore in Infotel.
Talking about RIL's re-entry into telecom with this BWA licence, Kotak report said that RIL "will have to contend with well-entrenched players and a small, but growing data market."
"We are not too sure about the economics of a standalone BWA business. Also, RIL may have to prepare a strategy for voice, which may involve acquiring one or more extand telecom operators," the report noted.
The report said that it also doubted that an entry into telecom through acquisition was going to create much value.
"The telecom landspace is quite competitive, regulations are becoming increasingly hostile and Reliance Communications' existing brand presence may confuse potential subscribers unless RIL can acquire RCom," it said.
Kotak Institutional Equities added: "We do not know if RIL has any interest in acquiring RCom or RCom's major shareholder has any interest in sharing RCom to RIL."
The promoters Anil Ambani group own 67.86% stake in RCom, while the remaining shares are spread among FIIs, domestic institutional investors and others.
The Ambanis-promoted conglomerate ventured into telecom when both brothers were together in unified Reliance group.
The telecom business went to Anil after a division of the group between two brothers, although Mukesh has been credited for setting-up of telecom business year-after-year in RIL's annual reports till as recently as in FY10.
