Vodafone Idea prepays ₹2,700 crore loan to SBI

Loss-making Vodafone Idea NSE -1.65 % (Vi) has prepaid a short-term loan of about ₹2,700 crore to SBI NSE 0.64 % in a bid to shore up lenders’ confidence as it urgently seeks fresh bank funds to tie up equipment supply deals for 5G networks and also clear some of its near ₹15,000-crore trade payables, comprising dues to tower companies, network gear vendors and other suppliers.