vodafone33-Article-201703200721 Slaughter and May, Allen & Overy (A&O) and a trio of Indian law firms have taken lead roles on the multibillion-dollar merger of Vodafone India and Indian telecoms company Idea, a deal that will create the country’s largest telecoms operator.

The merger, which is slated to close in 2018, will create a combined company valued at more than $20bn (£16bn), boasting 400 million customers, 35% customer market share and 41% revenue market share.