Google could pick up stake in Vodafone Idea

London: Tech titan Google is said to be exploring taking a minority stake in British telecom group Vodafone’s struggling India business. The investment in Vodafone Idea will pit the search giant against Facebook which has picked up a stake in Jio Platforms, the firm that houses India’s youngest but biggest telecom company, Reliance Jio.

Alphabet Inc’s Google is looking to buy about 5 per cent stake in Vodafone Idea Ltd, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Both companies refused to comment.

The move by Google follows Facebook and other private equity investors pouring in USD 10 billion in Jio Platforms, which holds billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s telecom firm, Jio.