TPG Capital, LLP, Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) and The Carlyle Group Inc. (NasdaqGS:CG) are among private equity giants in early talks with Vodafone Idea Limited (NSEI:IDEA) to invest in the company's optic fibre and data centre assets worth around $1 billion, said two people familiar with the matter. Since Vodafone Idea will continue to use the optic fibre infrastructure, the deals will likely happen on a sale-and-leaseback basis, the people said on the condition of anonymity. "The fibre assets, fixed broadband and data centre businesses have an immense growth potential since telecom and internet penetration is rapidly increasing.

Pricing will be the key for the PE deals. Within 2-3 months, the deals should get closed," one of the two people said. Spokespeople for TPG Capital, Apollo Global and Carlyle declined to comment.

Vodafone Idea did not respond to an emailed query.