India is in the grip of a wave of mobile operator consolidation, as MNOs race to fend off the challenge from newcomer Reliance Jio, and to build the scale to achieve viable economics in their tough market. Following Vodafone’s announcement of plans to merge with Idea Cellular, current market leader Bharti Airtel has unveiled a deal of its own, albeit it a far smaller one. It will acquire Tikona Digital Networks’ 4G business, including its broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum and 350 sites in five of India’s 22 telecoms operating circles. Tikona currently has 20 MHz of spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band in the circles of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh (east and west), Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Airtel said it…