American Tower Corporation is reportedly ready to ink a deal to acquire a majority stake in Indian tower operator Viom Networks, which will expand it’s portfolio there by approximately 41,000 towers. If the agreement is signed, according to 
the Economic Times, it will be the largest tower acquisition ever made by a US-based tower consolidator.
Viom has another 1,000 towers under construction.
ATC and Viom have been negotiating the planned transaction for months, with negotiations stalling over the price and over Viom shareholders considering public listing instead of a sale.
The Tata group, currently majority owner, will retain up to 26% stake as assurance to American Tower that the acquired company will be given tower leasing contracts from telco Tata Teleservice. Viom Networks provides towers to Tata Teleservices, Uninor, Aircel and Vodafone India.
American Tower owns more than 10,000 towers in the nation and has also restored its interest in the market following the spectrum auction in February this year. The additional Viom Network towers would put their India ownership at approximately 52,000 towers, eclipsing the 40,000 structures they own in the U.S.
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