New Delhi, Feb 26: Telecom major Bharti Airtel Ltd. on Wednesday said that it is holding bilateral discussions with the Tata Group for a potential merger between Tata Play’s Direct To Home business and its subsidiary Bharti Telemedia.

The statement to the stock exchanges came in response to a media report stating the Tata and Bharti Groups are “near a mega DTH merger”.

“We wish to submit that Bharti Airtel Limited (‘Airtel’) and Tata Group are in bilateral discussions to explore a potential transaction to achieve a combination of Tata Group’s Direct To Home (‘DTH’) business housed under Tata Play Limited, with Bharti Telemedia Limited, a subsidiary of Airtel, in a structure acceptable to all parties,” Airtel said in the statement to the exchanges.

However, Airtel emphasised that “the above is at a discussion stage only”.

The media report cited sources as saying the merged entity is expected to be run by Bharti Airtel, which will likely hold between 52-55 per cent with the remaining held by Tata Play shareholders, including Walt Disney.

Tata Play, a 70:30 venture between Tata Sons and Disney, and Airtel had a combined 35 million paid subscribers as of last September, more than half the 60 million subscribers industry-wide at the time, official data showed.

The two businesses are being approximately valued between Rs 6,000 crore to Rs 7,000 crore each, according to the media report.

In a separate development, Airtel has announced its collaboration with Ericsson to roll out 5G Standalone (SA) network technology. This partnership aims to enhance Airtel’s network capabilities, ensuring a seamless transition to a full-scale commercial 5G SA network over time.

Ericsson will be supplying key 5G equipment to telecom operator Bharti Airtel for a seamless transition to a commercially live, full-scale 5G Standalone (SA) network over time.

“Ericsson’s enduring partnership with Airtel has entered an exciting new phase, marked by the deployment of Ericsson’s 5G core solutions to support Airtel’s transition to 5G Standalone. This rollout will play a pivotal role in Airtel’s long-term 5G strategy, boosting network capacity and enabling the delivery of innovative, differentiated services to customers,” Airtel’s Chief Technology Officer Randeep Sekhon said.

The new capabilities represent a strategic enhancement to Bharti Airtel’s 5G monetisation efforts, enabling the development of new business models, Ericsson said.

In the SA mode, the network is built only on 5G, whereas in the NSA mode, the 5G network operates as a top-up on an existing layer of the 4G and 3G radio network.

As part of the agreement, Ericsson will deploy its signalling controller solution within Airtel’s network. Ericsson’s 5G SA-enabled charging and policy solution will also be introduced. These new capabilities represent a strategic enhancement to Bharti Airtel’s 5G monetisation efforts, enabling the development of new business models.

Ducati has introduced the DesertX Discovery in India, a feature-packed adventure motorcycle built for both on-road and off-road exploration. Designed to tackle diverse terrains, this special edition comes loaded with enhancements that improve rider comfort, durability, and overall performance. The bike sports an eye-catching Thrilling Black and Ducati Red color scheme, adding to its bold presence. Equipped with premium components for long-distance touring, the DesertX Discovery is now available across Ducati dealerships in India at an ex-showroom price of Rs 21,78,200.

The Ducati DesertX Discovery is engineered for adventure, offering rugged protection and enhanced comfort for long rides. It comes equipped with reinforced hand guards, an engine guard with water pump protection, a radiator grill, and a reinforced sump guard to handle rough terrains.

For added convenience, the bike features heated grips and a larger windshield, making it ideal for colder conditions. A central stand provides better stability and easy access to luggage and maintenance. Additionally, the Turn-by-Turn navigation system, accessible through the Ducati Link App, displays route guidance directly on the dashboard, enhancing the overall riding experience.

Powering the Ducati DesertX Discovery is a 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° engine, delivering 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and 92 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine has been fine-tuned for optimal performance, with a gearbox and electronics tailored for adventure riding. The bike features multiple riding modes, with three dedicated to road conditions and two specifically designed for off-road terrain. With a generous 21-litre fuel tank, riders can cover long distances with fewer refueling stops, making it an ideal choice for extended journeys.

Commenting on the launch of the DesertX Discovery, Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, said, “The DesertX Discovery represents a significant step in Ducati’s growth within the Indian market. We recognize the immense potential of the adventure segment here, and we’re confident that this motorcycle will capture the hearts of adventure enthusiasts across India. We’re also committed to offering a diverse range of adventure motorcycles, ensuring that every discerning Indian customer can find the perfect Ducati to match their individual riding style and needs.”

Mumbai, Feb 25: The Indian stock market on Tuesday ended the intra-day’s trading session on a flat note, as investors remained cautious amid the mixed market sentiment.

The Sensex gained 147.71 points, or 0.20 per cent, to close at 74,602.12. During the intra-day, the index moved between 74,785.08 and 74,400.37.

Meanwhile, the Nifty closed marginally lower by slipping 5.80 points, or 0.03 per cent, to settle at 22,547.55. The index touched a high of 22,625.30 and a low of 22,516.45 during the session.

The market saw a mixed trend among stocks. Out of the 50 Nifty stocks, 31 ended lower.

Rupak De from LKP Securities said the index remained mostly muted, except for a small correction towards the close, adding that sentiment continues to favour the bears.

A rise towards resistance is likely to attract selling pressure, he added.

Hindalco, Dr Reddy’s Labs, Trent, Hero MotoCorp, and Sun Pharma were among the top losers, with losses of up to 3.10 per cent.

On the other hand, Bharti Airtel, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, Nestle India, and Titan saw gains of up to 2.32 per cent.

The broader market indices also saw some pressure. The Nifty Midcap100 index declined by 0.62 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap100 index slipped by 0.44 per cent.

Among sectoral indices, the market remained divided. Sectors like Nifty Auto, FMCG, Select Financial Services, Media, and Consumer Durables ended with gains of up to 0.84 per cent.

However, other sectors saw declines — reflecting the cautious sentiment in the market.

“Technically, on the daily chart, Nifty has formed an inverted hammer candlestick pattern, indicating buying interest around 23,500 levels,” said Hrishikesh Yedve from Asit C. Mehta Investment Limited.

He added that as long as the index respects 23,500 levels, a pullback rally towards 22,700-22,800 could be possible. On the higher side, 22,700-22,800 will serve as a solid resistance zone.

Sustenance below 22,500 levels could trigger fresh selling pressure. Traders should monitor these levels for potential trading opportunities.

The volatility index, India VIX, cooled off by 5.03 per cent to 13.72 which indicates a decline in market volatility.

The domestic benchmark indices will remain closed on Wednesday (February 26) due to the Maha Shivaratri holiday.

The Indian rupee weakened by 50 paise on Tuesday, closing at 87.20 per dollar, compared to 86.70 in the previous session.