Bharti Infratel aiming to raise $900 million through IPO

Bharti-InfrateBharti Infratel Ltd is planning to launch its initial public offering (IPO) aiming to raise about 900 million on December 10.

The IPO of Bharti Infratel, which is the telecommunications tower arm of Bharti Airtel, is likely to be the country's biggest IPO in almost two years since Coal India raised $3.5 billion. According to company officials, a sale of 10 percent in Bharti Infratel could raise $800 million to $900 million.

The IPO will value the company at about $9 billion. It is believed that the company might receive a approval from the capital markets regulator on Friday. The company might open the IPO for on December 10 and on the next day for the public.

The IPO will indicate the appetite for Indian telecom shares among foreign investors. Four private equity investors, including arms of Singapore state investor Temasek and Goldman Sachs as well as Hedge fund Eton Park's Anadale Ltd and a unit of Japan's Nomura are selling their shares in the offering.

Bharti Airtel, which is the holding company with a stake of 86 per cent is not selling its shares in the market.