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Tag: Vodafone Idea

  • Vi finally gets its 5G groove on in Mumbai

    Vi finally gets its 5G groove on in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: After watching rivals race ahead, beleaguered telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has finally unleashed its 5G services in Mumbai. The struggling carrier is betting its fashionably late entry will turn heads with unlimited data packages starting at a wallet-friendly Rs 299.

    Vi’s arrival to the 5G party comes after the company raised a whopping Rs 26,000 crore in the past year, including India’s largest follow-on public offer worth Rs 18,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore coughed up by its increasingly patient promoters.

    The cash injection has enabled Vi to dust off ambitious expansion plans, with Rs 50,000-55,000 crore earmarked for network upgrades over the next three years. The company aims to blanket roughly 90 per cent of Indians with 4G coverage while rolling out 5G in “key geographies”—corporate speak for “where the money is”.

    “Our focus is on introducing 5G meaningfully for our users,” said Vi  chief technology officer Jagbir Singh. The firm has partnered with Nokia to deploy energy-efficient equipment that’s supposedly both leaner and greener.

    Not content with merely catching up to competitors Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, Vi claims to have embraced artificial intelligence with an AI-based self-organising networks system. This whizzy bit of tech reportedly optimises network performance continuously, though sceptics might suggest the carrier focus on basics like keeping calls connected first.

    The move comes as welcome news for Vi’s dwindling subscriber base, who have watched their chosen network struggle with debt while rivals hoovered up market share. OpenSignal reportedly ranks Vi’s 4G network as Mumbai’s best, though this will come as news to many of the city’s residents.

    For videogamers, binge-watchers, and those who simply enjoy browsing the internet without mysterious disconnections, Vi promises its unlimited 5G data will enhance experiences across streaming, gaming and real-time cloud access. The company has yet to announce when other Indian cities might join Mumbai in the 5G fast lane, saying only that expansion will happen “in a phased manner.”

    Mumbai’s mobile users can check whether their devices are compatible with Vi’s newfound speed at myvi.in/5g-networK.

  • Vodafone Idea misses Rs 6,090 crore spectrum payment—Now what?

    Vodafone Idea misses Rs 6,090 crore spectrum payment—Now what?

    MUMBAI: Another day, another Vodafone Idea financial hurdle. Akshay Moondra led telco, already walking a tightrope, has failed to submit a hefty Rs 6,090.7 crore bank guarantee or make a cash payment of Rs 5,493.2 crore to the department of telecommunications (DoT) for the 2015 spectrum auction shortfall, according to a report in The Economic Times.

    The deadline? 10 March.

    The result? No payment.

    And now, the government isn’t exactly thrilled, “We will see what action can be taken in the coming couple of days,” an official privy to the matter told ET. In other words—brace for impact. The DoT has not granted any extension so far, keeping Vodafone Idea on tenterhooks.

    The government had earlier attempted to throw the financially embattled telco a lifeline by waiving off bank guarantees (BGs) worth Rs 33,000 crore for past spectrum auctions across the private telecom giants—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi). Out of this, Vi had been the biggest beneficiary, with Rs 24,800 crore in waivers. However, the fine print required Vi to still cough up cash or submit a BG for the 2015 auction, where it had a one-time partial shortfall.

    Meanwhile, competitors Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio had no such obligations, as their payments had already exceeded the pro-rata value of their spectrum use. Vi, however, was left holding the bag.

    Now, what happens? The ball is in the government’s court.

    With no payment in sight and no extension announced, DoT may be forced to take action. Will it demand strict penalties? Will it extend the deadline in an act of mercy? No one knows just yet. But for Vi, already struggling with debt and subscriber losses, another financial setback is the last thing it needs.

    ET in their report mentioned that queries sent to Vodafone Idea remained unanswered at the time of going to press. Given the company’s track record, it’s anyone’s guess whether the telco will come up with the funds or find itself in even deeper trouble.

  • Vodafone Idea posts Rs 111.2 billion revenue but struggles under debt burden

    Vodafone Idea posts Rs 111.2 billion revenue but struggles under debt burden

    MUMBAI: Vodafone Idea (Vi) is ringing in revenue growth, but the static of debt remains loud. The telecom giant reported Rs 111.2 billion in revenue for Q3FY25, marking a 1.7 per cent sequential increase, and clocked its highest quarterly cash EBITDA of Rs 24.5 billion since the Vodafone-Idea merger. However, despite operational improvements, Vi remains in the red, posting a net loss of Rs 66.1 billion.

    The company’s average revenue per user (ARPU) rose to Rs 173, reflecting a 4.7 per cent QoQ jump, largely driven by tariff hikes and customer upgrades. But its financial burden remains steep. Bank debt stands at Rs 23.3 billion, while spectrum and AGR dues total a staggering Rs 2.27 trillion, payable over two decades.

    Vi is pushing forward with a massive capex plan, spending Rs 53.3 billion in the first nine months of FY25, with a full-year target of Rs 100 billion. The company added 4,000 broadband towers, its highest in a single quarter since the merger, and expanded 4G coverage to 41 million more users, reaching 1.07 billion people.

    A phased 5G rollout is now officially in motion, with Mumbai set to go live by March 2025, followed by Delhi, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Patna in April. The telco is banking on this expansion to sharpen its competitive edge.

    To keep its balance sheet in check, Vi has secured Rs 19.1 billion in fresh equity capital from its promoter group, pushing its total equity infusion to Rs 260 billion in the last 10 months. The company also received a bank guarantee waiver on spectrum payments, offering temporary relief.

    Vodafone Idea is also in the middle of another fresh financial hurdle as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has demanded a Rs 6,090 crore bank guarantee by March 10 to cover spectrum obligations since 2015, offering an alternative cash payment of Rs 5,493 crore. The telco must choose one of these options and comply with the telecom department’s requirements, adding to its existing financial woes amid intense industry competition. This development comes as a major setback for Vi, which is already grappling with Rs 2.27 trillion in spectrum and AGR dues. However, some relief arrived in January when the Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court’s November 2023 decision granting Vi a Rs 1,600 crore tax refund, providing a temporary financial cushion as the telco continues its struggle to stabilise operations.  

    While Vi is making strides in revenue and expansion, the question remains, can it dial up a full-fledged recovery, or will the weight of its debt drop the call?

  • Vi Business unveils Easy+ to streamline corporate and personal life seamlessly

    Vi Business unveils Easy+ to streamline corporate and personal life seamlessly

    MUMBAI: Dodging your boss’s relentless calls?

    Scrambling for excuses when your phone mysteriously ‘runs out of data’?

    Vanished on a work trip because international roaming decided to abandon you mid-flight?

    Sounds familiar?

    Say goodbye to corporate chaos and hello to seamless connectivity! Vi Business, the enterprise arm of Vodafone Idea, is rewriting the rulebook for corporate postpaid users with its groundbreaking Easy+ service. Now, whether it’s topping up your roaming pack, binging OTT shows, or avoiding awkward ‘unreachable’ moments, you can do it all—right from the Vi App, on your existing corporate plan. No drama. No hassle. Just effortless convenience.

    This game-changing feature simplifies how employees access value-added services, empowering them to personalise their mobile plans without the hassle of seeking approvals or managing separate numbers.

    Vi Business, executive vice president, enterprise mobility business & marketing, Roerich Kaushal emphasised the significance of the launch. “With Easy+, Vi Business is leading the way in transforming the corporate postpaid experience. Employees now have the flexibility to select and purchase services like international roaming, OTT subscriptions, and data packs for personal needs. In today’s connected world, they deserve an effortless solution that aligns with modern workforce expectations,” said Kaushal.

    He added, “With the upcoming holiday season, Easy+ provides a convenient way for employees to purchase international roaming packs, ensuring seamless connectivity and entertainment on the go.”

    Key Features of Easy+:

    ●    International Roaming Packs: Available across 29 countries with flexible durations – 24 hours, 10 days, or 14 days – priced between Rs 749 and Rs 4,999.

    ●    OTT Subscriptions: Users can subscribe to services like Sony LIV and Zee5, delivering their favourite entertainment directly to their devices.

    ●    Gifting Feature: Corporate users can gift OTT subscription packs to others, making it easier to share entertainment options.

    Corporate postpaid users can avail of Easy+ through the Vi App, which offers a user-friendly interface for purchasing these add-ons. The service reflects Vi Business’s commitment to blending convenience with innovation, making it a valuable tool for professionals on corporate plans.

    https://vi.app.link/viappisnt.

  • TRAI releases telecom subscription data for 30 September 2024

    TRAI releases telecom subscription data for 30 September 2024

    New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) unveiled its report on telecom subscription data as of 30 September 2024. The findings highlight trends across wireless and wireline segments, broadband subscriptions, and mobile number portability (MNP) requests, reflecting a dynamic yet challenging period for the sector.

    Decline in total subscribers

    India’s total telecom subscriber base saw a decline of 9.41 million in September, with numbers dropping from 1,200.07 million in August to 1,190.66 million. This translates to a monthly contraction of 0.78 per cent. Urban areas reported a slight dip in tele-density from 132.94 per cent to 131.86 per cent, while rural tele-density dropped from 59.05 per cent to 58.48 per cent. The declining figures underline challenges such as market saturation and migration of users to alternative communication platforms.

    Broadband subscriptions decreased by 0.51 per cent, from 949.21 million in August to 944.40 million in September. Mobile devices accounted for most of this decline, witnessing a contraction of 0.63 per cent. However, wired broadband and fixed wireless users showed growth, with increases of 1.83 per cent and 9.01 per cent, respectively. Reliance Jio retained its dominance with 477.94 million subscribers, followed by Bharti Airtel (285.17 million) and Vodafone Idea (126.36 million). These top players collectively command 98.42 per cent of the broadband market, underscoring limited competition in this segment.

    Wireline subscribers on the rise

    The wireline segment emerged as a bright spot, growing by 1.93 per cent to reach 36.93 million subscribers. Urban areas accounted for 92.14 per cent of these connections, highlighting an urban-centric growth trajectory. BSNL and MTNL, despite being public-sector entities, maintained a combined market share of 23.95 per cent, showcasing resilience amidst stiff competition.

    The wireless segment faced a challenging month with a decline of 10.11 million subscribers, a 0.87 per cent drop. Urban and rural wireless subscriptions declined by 0.80 per cent and 0.95 per cent, respectively, as affordability and service reliability remained key issues. Bharti Airtel led the active wireless subscriber base with a remarkable 99.27 per cent activity rate on its Visitor Location Register (VLR).

    The MNP service recorded 13.32 million requests in September, raising the cumulative total to 1,039.11 million. Zone-I, encompassing Northern and Western India, saw Uttar Pradesh-East leading the pack with 100.56 million porting requests. In Zone-II, Madhya Pradesh topped the charts with 81.06 million requests, reflecting high user dissatisfaction or a quest for better services.

    Regional tele-density variations

    Tele-density across circles revealed stark disparities. Delhi boasted the highest tele-density at 278.55 per cent, while Bihar recorded the lowest at 56.40 per cent. This gap highlights persistent inequalities in telecom penetration across states.

    While the report signals challenges, particularly in the wireless and rural segments, it also hints at potential opportunities in wireline growth and broadband expansion. As operators strive to innovate and enhance service quality, the sector remains poised for a possible turnaround. 

  • FCB Ulka appoints Ajay Ravindran as national planning director

    FCB Ulka appoints Ajay Ravindran as national planning director

    Mumbai: – FCB Ulka, part of FCB Group India, has announced the appointment of Ajay Ravindran as national planning director.

    Ajay comes to FCB Ulka with remarkable breadth and depth of experience. He has a 360-degree view of brand strategy, having worked on the entire gamut from advertising to social media, content, media planning, and market research. He specializes in new-age planning, bringing together storytelling, social media culture, and technology.

    In his previous role as head of brand marketing for Razorpay, Ajay oversaw numerous campaigns that seamlessly integrated technology, creativity, and storytelling, demonstrating his ability to deliver successful and innovative strategies. Over his career, Ajay has worked on brands like Unilever, Britannia, Colgate, Vodafone-Idea, Dell, Titan, TVS, 3M and many others. He is a multi-time EFFIE award winner. He has led planning teams in agencies like Ogilvy, VML, MullenLowe Lintas Group & Grey with distinction.

    On the appointment, FCB Ulka CEO Kulvinder Ahluwalia said, “We are thrilled to have Ajay join us as our National Planning Director. His exceptional blend of creativity and strategic insight will play a pivotal role in enhancing our capabilities and driving impactful brand solutions for our clients. We believe his leadership will strengthen our strategic initiatives and inspire our teams to push the boundaries of creativity.”

    “I believe the true power of Brand Marketing lies not just in creating ‘buzz’ or some fuzzy ‘brand love’ but unlocking hidden growth opportunities for businesses. And the new-age we live in provides us with an array of avenues to do this – technology, digital, data, content, CX. FCB Ulka provides the finest playground to practice this craft. An enviable client roster, entrenched relationships, and a burning desire to do the very best for the businesses we work on. Just a few minutes into the conversation with Dheeraj, Nitin, Kulvinder and Hemant, I just had one question: “When can I start?” Ajay expressed on his appointment.

  • Pallavi Patil rejoins Madison Media as VP – insights & strategy

    Pallavi Patil rejoins Madison Media as VP – insights & strategy

    Mumbai: Madison Media, a unit of Madison World, is delighted to announce the return of Pallavi Patil as vice president – Insights & Strategy. In her new role, Pallavi will report to Madison Media & OOH group CEO Vikram Sakhuja.

    With over 19 years of experience in data science, insights, and strategic planning, Pallavi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. She previously spent six years at Madison and has also worked with leading companies such as Kinetic Worldwide, Nielsen, and Kantar TNS. Before rejoining Madison, Pallavi was associated with Dentsu – Posterscope. Her impressive portfolio includes handling renowned brands like Heinz, UTI Mutual Fund, Citibank, Vodafone Idea, MTS, Cadbury, Tata Motors, Audi, Levi’s, Samsung, Diageo and Google.

    Madison Media & OOH group CEO Vikram Sakhuja said, “We are thrilled to welcome Pallavi back to the Madison family. Her extensive experience and strategic expertise will be instrumental in driving innovation and delivering exceptional value to our clients.”

    Pallavi remarked, “I am excited to rejoin Madison Media and look forward to contributing to our clients’ growth and success through data-driven strategies and insights. It feels wonderful to be back and collaborate with such a talented and dedicated team.

    In the past year, Madison Media has seen a remarkable trend with nearly 50 ex-Madisonites rejoining the company. This surge of returning talent reflects Madison’s nurturing work culture, strong leadership, and exciting opportunities for professional growth. The agency’s ability to attract back former employees speaks volumes about the positive experiences and impactful work environment Madison provides.

  • Vi Movies & TV app strengthens entertainment offering with Zee5

    Vi Movies & TV app strengthens entertainment offering with Zee5

    Mumbai: In line with its continuous endeavour to cater to the growing consumer demands of bringing more entertainment at an affordable price, a leading telecom operator Vi, had launched their content aggregator app i.e Vi Movies & TV in it’s new avatar earlier this year. In addition to existing top players like Disney+ Hotstar, Vi has announced a new partnership with one of the leading OTT players – ZEE5. With this new addition, Vi Movies & TV App now offers access to 17 OTT Apps in one single subscription, at 248 per month. Vi users can binge on their favourite content on top OTT apps such as Disney+ Hotstar, Sony LIV, ZEE5, and others all with a single subscription to Vi Movies and TV, on their Mobile & TV.

    Vi users will be able to enjoy a wide range of movies, shows, and popular titles such as the Vidya Balan starrer – Do Aur Do Pyaar, the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, regional blockbusters such as Manjummel Boys, Aranmanai 4 and many more on the Disney+ Hotstar app; UEFA Euro Cup, ‘Gullak Season 4, India Tour of SriLanka Scam 2003, Rocket Boys etc. from Sony LIV and shows like ‘Sunflower’, ‘Broken News’, TAJ and movies such as ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’, ‘Kadak Singh’ ‘Veer Sawarkar’ , ‘Sam Bahadur’, ‘Hanuman’, and more from ZEE5.

    Vodafone Idea CMO Avneesh Khosla said “At Vi, we understand that convenience and great value are two critical factors influencing buying decisions in India and we are committed to offering solutions that meet the needs of our customers. Our content aggregator platform, Vi Movies & TV App, offers access to 17 OTT platforms with a single plan. This not only reduces the cost of entertainment consumption but also eliminates the hassle of subscribing to multiple OTT apps separately.”

    He further added, “We are confident that Vi Movies & TV App will strike a chord with our consumers for its cost-effectiveness and convenience, opting for a seamless entertainment experience over multiple independent subscriptions. Our aim is to make high-quality entertainment accessible to our users and enhance their overall viewing experience through strategic partnerships with various OTT platforms. We will continue to expand our offerings by bringing the best entertainment experience for our users.”

    With the rise in connected devices and diverse content preferences, Vi Movies & TV App in its new avatar offers value for money plans providing an unmatched entertainment experience. Users now have:

    1   More content to enjoy with over 17 premium OTT platform subscriptions, including Disney+ Hotstar, Sony LIV, ZEE5, regional content platforms including: Klikk (Bengali), Chaupal (Punjabi), Atrangi (Desi Hindi content), Manorama Max (Malayalam), NammaFlix (Kannada), Playflix for Korean shows dubbed in Hindi. It also enables access to 350 Live TV Channels like Aaj Tak, ABP News, Republic and premium lifestyle channels like Eurosports, TLC etc.

    2   One plan, one subscription to access everything seamlessly.

    3   Convenience to stream favourite shows and movies anytime, anywhere on any device. Vi Movies & TV App can be paired with connected TVs, smart TVs, mobile – be it Android/Google TV, Android mobile, Samsung TV, iOS mobile, Amazon Firestick TV, and the Web. By subscribing to Vi Movies &TV, users can also get to watch two simultaneous streams on all OTT platforms.

    4   Big savings: Vi Movies & TV one subscription plan reduces cost by almost 50 percent compared to subscribing individually to 17 different OTT platforms.

    Vi also announced two new subscription plans -Vi Movies & TV Plus and Vi Movies & TV Lite.

    1   Vi Movies & TV- Plus: Priced at Rs 248 per month, offers unlimited access to 17 OTT apps, 350 live TV channels, and various content libraries. This plan can be accessed on two devices—TV and mobile—and includes an extra 6GB of data for prepaid users.

    2   Vi Movies & TV- Lite: Special plan for prepaid users at Rs. 154 per month, provides easy access to 16 OTT Apps for an array of extensive content catalogue on a single mobile device, with an additional 2GB of data.

    These plans are in addition to the Vi Movies & TV Pro plan, which offers 13+ OTT apps at Rs. 202 per month for prepaid users and Rs. 199 per month for postpaid users. This plan can be accessed on two devices—TV and mobile. The Vi Movies & TV Pro prepaid subscription also offers an extra 5GB of data.

    With these new offerings, Vi continues to strengthen its position as a leading provider of digital entertainment in India. By leveraging strategic partnerships and distinct subscription models, Vi aims to deliver an enriched viewing experience to its users, ensuring they have access to a vast array of content at their fingertips.

  • Space World Group appoints Vodafone Idea’s M P Sunil Kumar as CEO of Constl

    Space World Group appoints Vodafone Idea’s M P Sunil Kumar as CEO of Constl

    Mumbai: Digital Infrastructure Solutions provider, Constl, a business unit of Space World Group has announced the appointment of M P Sunil Kumar as its chief executive officer. The appointment of Sunil Kumar marks a pivotal moment in Constl’s journey as it endeavours to be one of the largest digital connectivity infrastructure platforms of India with a capex outlay of $ 500 million.

    Welcoming M P Sunil Kumar on board Constl as the CEO, Space World Group founder & chairman, Ankit Goel, said, “Sunil Kumar is an accomplished telecom executive with a stellar track record of achieving market success in enterprise and consumer business. He brings with him a wealth of experience that will enable Constl achieve its objectives and make it a force to reckon with. Sunil Kumar will also play a key role in facilitating Constl realise its vision of providing innovative solutions that ensure a seamless digital experience for all its clients’ ‘.

    Recognised for C-suite relationship building, lasting strategic partnerships, keen understanding of technology and executing effective sales initiatives in regulated and complex telecom markets, M P Sunil Kumar is devoted to prioritising the needs of both customers and employees in decision-making, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued. He is committed to fostering a culture where customer experience and employee well-being are central to business strategies, leading to enhanced outcomes and sustained growth.

    Prior to joining Constl, M P Sunil Kumar was with Vodafone Idea Limited where he spent nearly a decade in various positions, including setting up the connectivity business in the organisation. In his last position, he was the consumer business cluster business head where he led Mumbai to be the top performing cluster in consumer business in FY 23, creating an environment of trust in the team enabling them to aspire to stretch beyond and deliver. He also had stints at Tata Communications Limited and Bharti Airtel Limited prior to Vodafone.

  • Vi and Team Vitality forge a strategic esports partnership in India Sub

    Vi and Team Vitality forge a strategic esports partnership in India Sub

    Mumbai: According to the State of India Gaming Report 2022, the Indian esports industry is expected to grow to Rs 140 million by 2027. Over the last few years, esports as a category gained recognition as a mainstream sport especially after being debuted as an official medal sport at various international sports platforms. To capitalise on this growing consumer category, Vodafone Idea (Vi), one of India’s telecom operators and Paris based Team Vitality, international esports organisation, have announced a long-term union to boost the esports ecosystem in India.

    With this first of its kind collaboration, the two brands jointly aim to create opportunities and exposures to esports fans and gaming enthusiasts alike. The partnership encompasses many aspects such as brand sponsorship, content partnerships, gaming events and unique experiences at a never-seen-before scale. This will enable Vi customers to participate in esports and allow exclusive access to some of the popular Team Vitality tournaments and teams. This partnership will create opportunities for budding esports talent from across the country to have access to professional players, master classes, meet & greets with esports talent and many other opportunities.

    Vi is known for its presence in the mobile games segment, offering a wide range of hyper casual mobile games to users via Vi Games on Vi App. Through this association with Team Vitality, Vi now aims to deepen its focus on esports in India. Vi Games in the recent past forayed into the esports segment by hosting popular free-to-play tournaments across games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Free Fire Max, Asphalt 9, Clash Royale, etc.

    Commenting on the association, Vi CMO Avneesh Khosla, said, “Gaming has always been our strategic focus area and we have continuously strived to strengthen our gaming portfolio with right partnerships and relevant offerings. Over the last few years, esports has revolutionized the mobile gaming arena especially with younger audiences, and hence, deepening our focus in this space was a natural progression for Vi Games. We are excited to partner with one of the leading esports organizations of the world – Team Vitality. Together, we aim to drive and democratize access to the esports ecosystem in India. In the coming months, we will introduce some exciting esports and other youth centric content for our consumers to experience.”  

    Speaking on the occasion, Team Vitality India managing director Randall Fernandez said, “We are exhilarated to announce our partnership with Vi. We are at a juncture where technology will catapult gaming to the next level and eagerly look forward to our journey together. We will unlock new horizons searching for aspiring gaming talent across the length and breadth of the country, set new precedents and create indelible marks within the esports industry.”

    Locally, Team Vitality’s all Indian Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) team were among the top 16 teams globally who qualified and competed in the CODM World Championship 2023 that was held in Atlanta, US between 15 and 17 December. The organisation previously roped in popular gaming content creators Nischay ‘Live Insaan’ Malhan, Rachit ‘Rachitroo’ Yadav, Nitin ‘Classified YT’ Chougale, Shagufta ‘Xyaa’ Iqbal and Pratik ‘Aurum’ Mehra who have a cumulative YouTube base of 20 million subscribers.

    To capitalise on this upward growing industry and to build a deeper connect with consumers, Vi and Team Vitality plan to launch various gaming contests and events.