INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Shares in RCom rose almost 30% on Friday on media reports of talks with Ericsson.
MUMBAI: Embattled telecoms firm Reliance Communications is in talks with Ericsson to reach a
settlement outside of bankruptcy court over unpaid service dues, but a deal with the Swedish gearmaker looks unlikely for now, two sources
The bankruptcy court earlier this week admitted an insolvency plea filed by Ericsson against debt-laden RCom, as the company is widely
known, potentially derailing the telecoms firm's plans to sell assets to larger rival Reliance Jio to cut debt.RCom has approached Ericsson,
but with a lack of clarity around payment of dues "a settlement currently looks uncertain," one of the sources familiar with the matter
said.Both sources, who asked not to be named as the discussions are private, said a settlement could be reached if RCom agrees to deposit
outstanding dues before Ericsson withdraws its plea.Shares in RCom rose almost 30 per cent on Friday on media reports of talks with
Ericsson.RCom did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Ericsson said it does not comment on speculation.Ericsson, which
signed a seven-year deal in 2014 to operate and manage RCom's nationwide telecoms network, is seeking Rs 1,155 crore from the company and
two of its subsidiaries.RCom, controlled by businessman Anil Ambani, late last year announced plans to sell most of its wireless assets to
mobile carrier Reliance Jio in a deal sources said was worth about $3.8 billion
Jio, the telecoms venture of Reliance Industries, is controlled by Anil's elder brother, Mukesh Ambani.With debt totalling Rs 45,733 crore
at end-March 2017, RCom is the most-leveraged of all listed telecoms carriers in India.The order from the National Company Law Tribunal
(NCLT) allowing Ericsson's insolvency plea against RCOM means RCom's sale, or liquidation in case a deal does not work out within a maximum
of nine months, will be overseen by a court appointed administrator.A lawyer for RCom previously told Reuters that the company would appeal
TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
