Bharti will become BT's biggest shareholder after buying a 25%, $4B stake from Altice

Core Viewpoint - BT is gaining a significant new investor, Bharti, which is acquiring a 24.5% stake from Altice, valued at approximately $4 billion based on BT's market cap of £13 billion ($16 billion) [1] Group 1: Investment Details - Bharti will purchase 9.99% of the stake immediately, with the remainder contingent on regulatory approval [1] - Altice, facing challenges due to debt and corporate scandals, is divesting its stake in BT, which it acquired in multiple phases starting in 2021 [2] Group 2: Strategic Implications - The investment is seen as a move to leverage economies of scale in 5G and AI, which are critical areas for telecom companies [3] - Bharti aims to create synergies in telecom sectors between the U.K. and India, focusing on AI and 5G R&D [3] Group 3: Historical Context - BT previously held a 21% stake in Bharti from 1997 to 2001, indicating a long-standing relationship between the two companies [4] - The current investment marks a significant milestone in Bharti's history, reflecting a reversal of roles from past investments [4] Group 4: Company Statements - BT's CTO expressed confidence in the long-term value of the business and welcomed Bharti's investment as a vote of confidence in BT's strategy [5]