India's Bharti Enterprises said it would acquire a 24.5% stake in BT , worth about 3.2 billion pounds ($4 billion), buying out the British company's top investor, telecoms tycoon Patrick Drahi, as his Altice group struggles with high debts.
The Indian company said it would buy an initial 9.99% stake before seeking to add the remaining 14.51% following regulatory approvals.
Bharti said it supported BT's executive team and strategy as the group pushed forward with an "ambitious" transformation programme to deliver long-term sustainable growth.
BT's shares have risen by 24% in the last six months as the fruits of its long-term investment plan to build the country's fibre network start to materialise.
"This scale of investment from Bharti Global is a great vote of confidence in the future of BT Group and our strategy," Kirkby said in a statement following the investment.
Persons:
India's, Patrick Drahi, Bharti, Drahi, Carlos Slim, Allison Kirkby, Kirkby
Organizations:
India's Bharti Enterprises, BT, UK National Security and Investment, Bharti Global, BT Group
Locations:
Abu Dhabi