New Delhi: Bharti Telecom is getting ready to raise about one billion dollars through a new bond sale, marking its second major debt issue in just two months, according to people familiar with the plan. The company is expected to offer bonds worth around ninety billion rupees with maturities of two and three years.

Market sources say the bonds are likely to carry coupon rates of about 7.25 percent and 7.35 percent. The fresh fundraising is mainly aimed at refinancing upcoming debt, including a large bond repayment of more than seventy billion rupees due in December.

The company made a similar move in October when it raised over one hundred billion rupees through bonds at slightly higher interest rates. Investors are showing strong interest this time as well, helped by Bharti Telecom’s recent AAA credit rating upgrade by CRISIL, which allows it to borrow at lower costs.

Bharti Telecom is the main holding company of Bharti Airtel, one of India’s largest telecom operators. Analysts say the repeat bond issue signals the company’s push to strengthen its balance sheet by managing near term repayments while taking advantage of favorable market conditions.

Rating agencies have noted that the holding company still carries a significant amount of debt, but steady performance by Airtel and strong earnings momentum have supported refinancing plans. The latest bond issue is expected to draw wide participation from domestic investors.

Market watchers will be looking for final pricing and the level of demand as Bharti Telecom continues its refinancing efforts ahead of more bond maturities in the coming years.