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Tag: Vodafone Idea

  • Idea revives iconic ‘What an Idea’ campaign with ‘Not Working? Try NETworking’

    Idea revives iconic ‘What an Idea’ campaign with ‘Not Working? Try NETworking’

    MUMBAI: Idea has revived its iconic ‘What an Idea’ campaign with its new ‘Not working? Try NETworking’ spot. Keeping the intrinsic purpose of the brand to address social issues and work as an enabler for change, the new campaign, developed by BBDO India, aims to address the issues of unemployment and underemployment. It showcases the myriad opportunities that the internet, through Idea 4G network, throws open to people from different age groups and socio-economic backgrounds, across India. Directed by Sandeep Yadav, the campaign will be promoted through TV, Radio and Digital media.

    Explaining the rationale behind the new Brand campaign with one of Idea’s most loved taglines, Vodafone Idea chief digital transformation and brand officer Kavita Nair said, “Idea was the first telecom brand in India to take a step beyond the transactional plane to showcase how mobile telephony can transform people’s lives in a positive manner. Each Idea campaign, over the years, has focused on social issues prevalent at that time and championed causes which are relevant and appeal to urban and rural audiences alike.”

    Nair added, “The new brand campaign ‘NOT working? Try NETworking’ has been conceptualised with the objective of tapping the immense love and affinity the brand enjoys – by telling short, hope infusing stories. Through the narrative, we highlight the reliability of high speed Internet on Idea 4G which can help spark a million innovative ideas and a million opportunities to create a better future for urban and rural Indians, signing off with the iconic ‘What an idea!’” 

    For more than a decade, Idea brand campaigns have taken up issues that have affected society and/or individuals and given them a creative spin by highlighting innovative ideas that demonstrated how mobile telephony offers solutions to these problems. Each brand campaign has played an integral role in building the brand’s persona and salience. The latest NETworking series of three TVCs carry the brand’s signature tune and creative treatment and went live today. 

  • Middling broadband subscriber growth in November 2019

    Middling broadband subscriber growth in November 2019

    BENGALURU: Overall broadband internet subscribers in India grew by 1.719 crore or 2.67 percent  in the month ended 30November 2019 (Nov-19) from the numbers reported by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for the month ended 30 October 2019 (Oct-19). Trai had reported 64.408 crore (644.48 million or 6,440.8 lakh) broadband internet subscribers across all segments for Oct-19. This number grew to 66.127 crore (661.27 million or 6,612.7 lakh) in Nov-19 as per the latest numbers published by Trai.

    Subscriber growth for Nov-19 was the fifth highest over a 23 month period starting Jan-18 until Nov-19 in absolute numbers. In percentage terms, Nov-19 saw the twelfth highest growth during the same period. Over the period under consideration in the paper, broadband internet subscriber growth has been on a decline as is evident from the black trend line the graph below:

    The figure below shows the subscriber growth ranking for the months during the period under consideration in this paper in terms of absolute growth numbers as well as percentage terms.

    Trai data reveals that broadband subscribers grew by 1.713 crore (1.713 million or 171.3 lakh) or 2.74 percent to 64.154crore (641.54 million, 6,415.4 lakh) in Nov-19 from 62.441 crore (624.41 million or 6,244.1 lakh) in Oct-19 on the Mobiles (Phones and dongles) segment. Wired broadband internet segment grew by 0.005 crore (0.05 million or 0.05 lakh) or 0.28 percent in Nov-19 to 1.913 crore(19.13 million or 191.3 lakh) from 1.908 crore (19.08 million or 190.8 lakh) in Oct-19. Fixed wireless – WiFi, WiMax, Point to Pont, Radio, Vsat subscribers grew 0.001 crore (0.01 million or 0.1 lakh) or 0.47 percent to 0.06 crore (0.6 million or 6 lakh) in Nov-19 from 0.059 crore (0.59 million or 5.9 lakh) in the previous month.

    Please refer to the figure below.

    Top 5 Broadband Internet Subscribers

    Top five service providers constituted 98.99 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Nov-19. These service providers were Reliance Jio
    Infocomm Ltd with 37.076 crore (370.76 million, 3,707.6 lakh) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 13.992 (139.92 million, 1,399.2 lakh) subscribers, Vodafone Idea with 11.989 crore (119.89 million, 1,198.9 lakh) subscribers, BSNL with 2.254 crore (22.54 million, 225.4 lakh)  subscribers and Atria Convergence with 0.15 crore (1.50 million, 15 lakh) subscribers.

    Top 5 Wireless broadband Internet Subscribers

    As on 30th November, 2019, the top five Wireless Broadband Service providers were Reliance Jio Infocom Ltd  with 36.993 crore (369.93 million, 3,699.3 lakh) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 13.751 crore (137.51 million, 1,375.1 lakh) subscribers, Vodafone Idea with 11.987 crore (119.87 million, 1,198.7 lakh)BSNL with 1.402 crore (14.02 million, 140.2 lakh) and MTNL 0.02 crore (0.20 million, 2 lakh).

    Top 5 Wired broadband Internet Subscribers

    As on 30th November, 2019, the top five Wired Broadband Service providers were BSNL with 0.851 crore (8.51 million, 85.1 lakh) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 0.241 crore (2.41 million, 24.1 lakh) subscribers, Atria Convergence Technologies with 0.15 crore (1.50 million, 15 lakh) subscribers, Hathway Cable & Datacom with 0.088 crore (0.88 million, 8.8 lakh) subscribers and Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd with 0.083 crore (0.83 million, 8.3 lakh).Reliance JioInfocomm Limited was a new entrant to the top 5 list in October 2019. It replaced You Broadband which had 0.075 crore (0.75 million or 7.9 lakh) broadband internet subscribers in Sep-19. BSNL lost wired broadband internet subscribers in Nov-19. 

    The top 5 wired broadband internet service providers lost 40,000 subscribers in Nov-19. Since the wired internet broadband subscriber base grew by 50,000 during the same period, other smaller service providers which include MSOs and LCOs must have added 90,000 subscribers in Nov-19.
     

  • Broadband subscriber growth picked up in Oct-19

    Broadband subscriber growth picked up in Oct-19

    BENGALURU: Overall broadband internet subscribers in India grew by 1.866 crore or 2.98 percent  in the month ended 31 October 2019 (Oct-19) from the numbers reported by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for the month ended 30 September 2019 (Sep-19). Trai had reported 62.542 crore (625.42 million or 6,254.2 lakh) broadband internet subscribers across all segments for Sep-19. This number grew to 64.408 crore (644.08 million or 6,440.8 lakh) in Oct-19 as per the latest numbers published by Trai.

    Subscriber growth for Oct-19 was the third highest over a 22 month period starting Jan-18 until Oct-19 in absolute numbers. In percentage terms, Oct-19 saw the ninth highest growth during the same period. Over the period under consideration in the paper, broadband internet subscriber growth has been on a decline as is evident from the black trend line the graph below:

    The figure below shows the subscriber growth ranking for the months during the period under consideration in this paper in terms of absolute growth numbers as well as percentage terms.

    Trai data reveals that broadband subscribers grew by 1.857 crore (18.57 million or 185.7 lakh) or 3.06 percent to 62.441 crore in Oct-19 from 60.584 crore (605.84 million or 6,054.8 lakh) in Sep-19 on the Mobiles (Phones and dongles) segment. Wired broadband internet segment grew by 0.007 crore (0.07 million or 0.07 lakh) or 0.37 percent in Oct-19 to 1.908 crore(19.08 million or 190.8 lakh) from 1.901 crore (19.01 million or 190.1 lakh) in Sep-19. Fixed wireless – WiFi, WiMax, Point to Pont, Radio, Vsat subscribers grew 0.002 crore (0.02 million or 0.2 lakh) or 4.22 percent to 0.059 crore (0.59 million or 5.9 lakh) in Oct-19 from 0.057 crore (0.57 million or 5.7 lakh) in the previous month.

    Please refer to the figure below.

    Top 5 Broadband Internet Subscribers

    According to Trai data, the top five broadband internet service providers constituted 98.98 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Oct-19. These service providers were Reliance JioInfocom Ltd 36.512 crore (365.12 million or 3,651.2 lakh), Bharti Airtel 13.286 crore (132.86 million or 1,328.6 lakh), Vodafone Idea 11.580 crore (115.80 million or 1,158 lakh), BSNL 2.27 crore (22.27 million or 2,227 lakh) and Atria Convergence 0.149 crore (1.49 million or 14.9 lakh).

    Top 5 Wireless broadband Internet Subscribers

    As on 31October, 2019, the top five Wireless Broadband Service providers were Reliance Jio Infocom Ltd with 36.433 crore (364.33 million or 3,643.3 lakh), Bharti Airtel with 13.045 crore (130.45 million or 1,304.5 lakh), Vodafone Idea with 11.578 crore (115.78 million or 1,157.8 lakh), BSNL with 1.364 crore (13.64 million 136.4 lakh) and MTNL with 0.02 crore (0.20 million or 20 lakh) subscribers.

    Top 5 Wired broadband Internet Subscribers

    As on 31 October, 2019, the top five Wired Broadband Service providers were BSNL with 0.862 crore (8.62 million, 86.2 lakh), Bharti Airtel 0.24 crore (2.40 million or 24 lakh), Atria Convergence Technologies with 0.149 crore (1.49 million or 14.9 lakh), Hathway Cable & Datacom with 0.087 crore (0.87 million or 8.7 lakh) and Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd with 0.079 crore (0.79 million or 7.9 lakh). Reliance JioInfocomm Limited is a new entrant to the top 5 list in October 2019. It replaced You Broadband which had 0.075 crore (0.75 million or 7.9 lakh) broadband internet subscribers in Sep-19. BSNL and Bharti Airtel Limited both lost wired broadband internet subscribers in Oct-19. 

    The top 5 wired broadband internet service providers lost 80,000 subscribers in Oct-19. Since the wired internet broadband subscriber base grew by 70,000 during the same period, other smaller service providers which include MSOs and LCOs must have added 150,000 subscribers in Oct-19.
     

  • Video and Broadband Summit 2019 to discuss way forward with NTO & changing digital landscape

    Video and Broadband Summit 2019 to discuss way forward with NTO & changing digital landscape

    MUMBAI: How is the new tariff order (NTO) impacting the broadcast and video distribution landscape in India? How can broadcast networks effectively partner with LCOs and MSOs to successfully navigate the post-NTO environment? These are some of the key themes which will be discussed at the Video and Broadband Summit 2019.

    Running in its sixteenth year, the summit will be held in Mumbai on 11 December and will bring together stalwarts from television broadcasting, internet and distribution sectors under one roof to discuss and deliberate key issues facing the sector and recognise the accomplishments of key stakeholders.

    Over the last one-and-a-half-decades, VBS (earlier IDOS) has grown to become India's definitive Pay-TV and video distribution get together. However, this year’s summit is critical given that 2019 has witnessed some of the most fundamental changes in the pay TV and broadcast industry.

    While, on the one side TV networks, LCOs, MSOs and DTH players are still adjusting to the fundamental changes introduced by the NTO – described by many as the most significant reform in broadcast TV in decades – on the other, India has seen exponential growth of OTT players. Together, these changes will fundamentally alter how Indians consume entertainment in the years to come.

    If these changes were not enough in themselves, the telecom and internet distribution sectors are also undergoing fundamental changes. While, the entry of Reliance Jio Fibre has not proved to be the ultimate disruptor industry experts were expecting it to be, the recent Supreme Court ruling on the AGR (adjusted gross revenue) issue, asking telecom companies to pay Rs 92,000 crore has considerably dampened the industry sentiment and can negatively affect their ability to raise funds for broadband, network expansion and digital India.

    Not surprisingly, since the Supreme Court ruling, all major telecom operators in India, ranging from Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance have announced mobile tariff charge hikes by as much as 20 per cent. Given that Airtel and Reliance are also deeply entrenched in providing broadband services, any tariff hike can impact broadband penetration as well.

    The delegate profile for this year’s VBS is a reflection of the concerns facing the industry. As many as 60 per cent of the participants in this year’s VBS will be LCOs, MSOs and distributors, while 15 per cent delegates will be coming from broadcast networks including Star India – also a summit partner. Significantly, 25 per cent of the delegates this year will come from telecom, broadband, technology and data platforms. Without doubt, apart from getting the industry perspective on various issues ailing the industry as well as future opportunities, the summit will also provide an excellent opportunity for networking between the various stakeholders in the media and entertainment industry.

    Some of the key sessions in the summit will be:

    • Free To Air: The roadmap ahead
    • NTO: The future roadmap; TRAI consultation paper and how will the amendments to the existing tariffs play out?
    • Transforming the sector to fuel growth: What are the key issues facing the sector? How can more transparency and discipline be injected into it?
    • The distribution challenge: How are distribution companies innovating to stay ahead of the curve? What measures are they adopting to counter relentless disruption?
    • Internet: The changing role in video distribution
    • Role of the LCO: How has the role of the LCO changed under the new regulatory framework and its significance going forward? 
    • The advertisers’ view: Advertisers’’ view on dynamic Pay-TV landscape and how AdEx is likely to fare going forward with more changes anticipated to the NTO.

    To discuss all these relevant issues, the summit has also lined up a distinguished panel of more than two dozen speakers. Among them are:

    The VBS summit is an initiative of Indiantelevision.com. Started in 2000 by media and television analyst Anil Wanvari, Indiantelevision.com is the first online information and interactive service focusing on the Indian television and media business. Indiantelevision.com organises close to a dozen events every year, among them are The Indian Telly Awards, Tele-Wise Tamil, Media HR Summit, Brandvid Awards, Vidnet, The Indian Telly Technical Awards, and The Content Hub.
     

  • Broadband internet subscriber growth petering out?

    Broadband internet subscriber growth petering out?

    BENGALURU: Has the broadband internet subscriber growth in the country started petering out in 2019? Analysis of Telecom subscription data furnished by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) indicates that month-on-month subscriber growth rates are reducing despite the stupendous growth at the start of calendar year 2019 (CY 2019). The latest data from TRAI is for the month ended 30 September 2019 or Sep-19 (month under consideration). Sep-19 saw broadband internet subscribers grow by just 0.999 crore in net absolute numbers, or by 1.62 percent from the previous month Aug-19. In absolute number of subscriber additions, Sep-19 was ranked 15 over a 21 month period and was ranked 17 over the same period in percentage terms.

    Please refer to the figure below:

    During the 21 month period under consideration in this paper, Jan-19 saw the highest number of subscriber additions at 2.149 crore (21.49 million or 214.9 lakh). Jan-19 was ranked third during the 21 month period in terms of percentage growth at 4.1 percent. Mar-18 saw the highest subscriber growth in percentage terms at 5.2%. In absolute numbers, Mar-19 saw the second highest number of subscriber addition at 2.054 crore (20.54 million, 205.4 lakh).

    Please refer to the figure below:

    Broadband Internet Segment Trends

    TRAI has segmented Broadband internet into 3 main platforms, viz. Wired; Mobiles (Phones and dongles); and Fixed wireless- WiFi, Wi Max, Point to Point, Radio, Vsat. As has been the norm, the Mobile (Phones and dongles) had the highest subscriber growth in terms of absolute numbers at 0.929 crore or 9.29 million or 92.9 lakh (at 1.97 percent) in Sep-19 over Aug-19. In percentage terms, the Wired Broadband internet segment had the highest growth in Sep-19 over Aug-19 at 3.96 percent. Please refer to the figure below:

    Overall Broadband Internet Subscribers on all platforms

    The top five service providers constituted 98.96 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Sep-19. These service providers were Reliance Jio Infocom Ltd 35.593 crore (355.93 million, 3,559.3 lakh) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 12.783 crore (127.83 million, 1,278.3 lakh) subscribers, Vodafone Idea with 11.219 crore (112.19 million, 1,121.9 lakh) subscribers, BSNL with 2.152 crore (21.52 million, 215.2 lakh) subscribers and Atria Convergence 0.148 crore (1.48 million, 14.8 lakh) subscribers. All the five players saw subscriber growth in Sep-19.

    Wireless Broadband Internet Subscribers

    The top five Wireless Broadband Service providers were Reliance Jio Infocom Ltd with 35.522 crore (355.22 million, 3,552.2 lakh) subscribers , Bharti Airtel with 12.542 crore (125.42 million, 1,254.2 lakh) subscribers, Vodafone Idea with 11.217 crore (112.17 million, 1,121.7 lakh) subscribers, BSNL with 1.282 crore (12.82 million, 128.2 lakh) subscribers and MTNL with 0.021 crore (0.21 million, 2.1 lakh) subscribers. The first four ranks saw their subscribers grow, while MTNL witnessed a flat growth in Sep-19.

    Wired Broadband Internet Subscribers

    The top five Wired Broadband Service providers were BSNL with 0.869 crore (8.69 million, 86.9 lakh) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 0.241 crore (2.41 million, 24.1 lakh) subscribers, Atria Convergence Technologies with 0.148 crore (1.48 million, 14.8 lakh) subscribers, Hathway Cable & Datacom with 0.086 crore (0.86 million, 8.6 lakh) subscribers and You Broadband with 0.075 crore (0.75 million, 7.5 lakh) subscribers.

    Wired broadband subscriber base grew by 69,000 according to TRAI data, but the top 5 Wired Broadband Internet players saw their combined subscriber base erode by 80,000. This indicates that the other internet service players which include MSOs’s and LCOs’ added 0.0149 crore (0.149 million or 1.49 lakh). Among the top 5 wired broadband internet players, it was only the public sector that saw erosion of its subscriber base – by 0.01 crore (0.1 million, 1 lakh). ACT and Hathway saw subscriber additions of 10,000, while Airtel and You Broadband saw no fresh subscriber additions.

  • Struggling telco operator BSNL strikes content deal with YuppTV

    Struggling telco operator BSNL strikes content deal with YuppTV

    MUMBAI: State owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and over-the-top (OTT) platform YuppTV have entered into a partnership. Under the signed memorandum of understanding (MoU), Yupp TV content will be made available to both BSNL mobile broadband and fixed line users.

    “BSNL has 120 million users. Yupp brings content on global scale. We will work on a very unique proposition to bring highly rich experience to customer on strong technology backbone. Marriage between infotainment and telecom networks will happen," BSNL chairman and managing director P K Purwar said at the MoU signing ceremony, Mint reported.

    All the major telecom players including Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea have struck deals with almost all major streaming services for betterment of average revenue per user (ARPU). Telco-OTT partnerships have been a noticeable trend not only in India but across the world as it makes a win-win deal for both the parties. Till now, OTT players in India get the largest chunk of subscription revenue from telco deals.

    Purwar said during the ceremony that content is key to drive data consumption and original content is the game of the day. He also added that the bundling proposition will be a compelling one for BSNL subscribers.

    At a time when the once telco king of India is struggling hard to run its operation, this deal marks a move by the public sector unit to retain and grow its subscriber base as the company has been making losses continuously since 2009-10. However, it will also help YuppTV to deliver its content easily to BSNL’s 120 million subscribers.

  • Jio, Airtel led wireless broadband subscriber growth in Aug-19

    Jio, Airtel led wireless broadband subscriber growth in Aug-19

    BENGALURU: MukeshDhirubhai Ambani’s largest startup in the world in the form of Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd (Jio) reported the largest growth in wireless broadband subscribers for the month ended 31 August 2019 (Aug-19) in terms of absolute numbers. The Sunil Mittal headed Bharti Airtel reported the largest growth in percentage terms for the same period. While Jio’swireless broadband subscriber base grew by 0.305 crore (3.05 million or 30.5 lakh) or by 0.9 percent, Airtels’ subscriber base grew 2.3 percent or 0.276 crore (2.76 million, 27.6 lakh) in Aug-31 as compared to Jul-19. The top 5 wireless internet subscriber base grew 1 percent or by 0.612 crore (6.12 million, 61.2 lakh) in Aug-19 as compared to Jul-19.

    Please refer to the chart below:

    Top 5 Broadband Internet service providers across all platforms

    The top five broadband service providers constituted 98.96 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Aug-19. These service providers were Jiowith 34.824 crore (348.24 million, 3,482.4 lakh) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 12.67 crore (126.70 million, 1,267 lakh) subscribers, Vodafone Idea with 11.111 crore (111.11 million, 1,111,1 lakh) subscribers, BSNL with 2.15 crore (21.50 million, 215 lakh) subscribers and Atria Convergence Technologies  or ACT with 0.147 crore (1.47 million, 14.7 lakh) subscribers.

    Overall, the country’s broadband subscriber base across all platforms grew 1.87 percent in Aug-19 from Jul-19. Internet through mobiles and phones witnessed subscriber growth of 1.97 percent or 1.15 crore (11.5 million, 115 lakh) during the period under review as compared to the previous month. Wired broadband internet subscriber base declined by 20,000 or by 1.08 percent to 1.832 crore (18.32 million, 183.2 lakh) subscribers from 1.852 crore (18.52 million, 185.2 lakh) subscribers. Please refer to the chart below.

    The chart below shows the month-on-month (MOM) growth of broadband internet subscribers for a 20 month period starting Jan-18 till Aug-19. During this 20 month period, subscriber base growth was ranked 13 in terms of growth in absolute numbers and was ranked 14 in terms of percentage growth.

    Please refer to the chart below:

    Wired Broadband Internet Subscribers

    As on 31st August, 2019, the top five Wired Broadband Service providers were BSNL with 0.879 crore (8.79 million, 87.9 lakh) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 0.241 crore (2.41 million, 24.1 lakh) subscribers, ACT with 0.147 crore (1.47 million, 14.7 lakh) subscribers, Hathway Cable & Datacom with 0.085 crore (0.85 million, 8.5 lakh) subscribers and You Broadband with 0.075 crore (0.75 million, 7.5 lakh) subscribers. BSNL saw its subscriber base decline by 0.026 crore (0.26 million, 2.6 lakh), Airtel saw its base grow by 10,000 to 0.241 crore (24.1 million, 24.1 crore). The other three players among the top 5 wired internet service providers showed no change in the month of Aug-19 as compared to Jul-19.
     

  • Vodafone Idea business services and nokia partner to launch sd-wan to help businesses drive digital transformation

    Vodafone Idea business services and nokia partner to launch sd-wan to help businesses drive digital transformation

    MUMBAI: Vodafone Idea Business Services (VIBS), the enterprise arm of Vodafone Idea Ltd., the country’s leading telecom operator, today announced its partnership with Nokia to roll out software-defined networking in a wide area network (SD-WAN) services for start-ups and enterprises. Through SD-WAN deployment, VIBS will offer advanced networking and connectivity solutions and enable enterprises to dramatically increase the speed of deployment, flexibility, and control. It is a software-defined network for digital business to securely access applications in a multi-cloud environment.

    Benefits of Vodafone Idea SD-WAN

    •    Simplified configuration of multi-site WAN network using online portal
    •    Seamless connectivity to IaaS, SaaS Clouds using secure network
    •    Dynamic application-aware routing on optimal path
    •    Real-time network, application analytics through customer portal
    •    Choice of multi-transport ILL, MPLS L3, Broadband and 4G LTE
    •    OpEx-based pricing for Managed SD-WAN network
    •    Solution consulting, implementation, 24X7 support with SLA
    •    Centralised, automated control of network policies

    The services will be offered in partnership with Nokia and is built on Nokia’s Nuage Networks Virtualized Services Platform (VSP) that will provide enterprises with an application-driven network that seamlessly and constantly adapts to the real-time demands of cloud computing, mobility, and digitization. This will further allow connections across the business and cloud to be intelligently and dynamically programmed from a centralized location. By using centralized software to manage the network, it becomes easier to control, more agile and ready to adapt to future connectivity requirements.

    Commenting on the partnership, Nick Gliddon, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Vodafone Idea Business Services, said: “We are glad to partner with Nokia to roll out SD-WAN services and help our customers in their digital transformation journey. This partnership enables us to offer an industry-first, multi-tenant, Managed SD-WAN solution which enables enterprises of all sizes to access applications securely across multiple clouds. The enterprises will be able to leverage a more reliable, multi-transport Wide Area Network solution managed through a centralised portal that will provide greater control, agility, speed of deployment with reduced operational cost.”

    Nitin Dahiya, Account Director, Nokia India, said, “The Virtualized Services Platform by Nokia’s Nuage Networks will enable Vodafone Idea to boost customer connectivity and aide their digital transformation journey. This partnership allows Vodafone to offer advanced networking and connectivity solutions, as well as enabling their customers to optimize business and cloud services. With the Virtualized Services Platform, Vodafone Idea gives control of the network back to the customer, making them more agile, adaptable and flexible. “

    The launch of SD-WAN augments Vodafone Idea Business Services’ established vision of being a trusted and valued partner for business in a digital world, transforming cloud experience for millions of SMEs and large enterprises

  • Vodafone Idea partners with cii techsaksham project for msmes to adapt in the digital age

    Vodafone Idea partners with cii techsaksham project for msmes to adapt in the digital age

    MUMBAI: Vodafone Idea, in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Ministry of MSMEs and other tech giants like Intel, Dell, HP, WhatsApp, and Banking Partner YES BANK have already initiated an exclusive digital project TECHSAKSHAM- focused on supporting MSMEs in India to become tech-enabled. Aligned with the Ministry’s aspiration of generating value-added employment, TECHSAKSHAM will address barriers faced by MSMEs in their growth and expansion. The initiative aims to bridge the gap in technology adoption through exceptional technology-driven services of VIBS and a gamut of digital-first solutions and partnerships.

    TECHSAKSHAM, in its first phase, will focus on sectors that have a tendency to respond positively to adopting technology, while also creating a larger discussion in other MSME clusters. The project is envisioned to create a movement that will have a long-term impact on the MSMEs in India. Partners will extend its technology expertise in building a stable platform that will enable, SME Policy Advocacy, Tech Awareness and Technology-driven Workshops in 10 cities for tier 1 and tier 2 MSMEs.  Additionally, partners are getting into an agreement with CII to build a Technology Portal to further strengthen the project.

    Mr Shreekant Somany, Chairman, CII National MSME Council emphasized the need to empower MSMEs harness the next-gen technologies for sustainable growth in the global marketplace. “While MSMEs have started entering the era of Industry 4.0, the pace has been slow. Adoption of upgraded technology is usually witnessed in the medium segment of MSMEs which have the requisite resources required for the adoption of advanced technology. The phenomenon is less common in the small and micro-segments. To promote and popularise adoption of technology by the MSMEs, CII along with its Industry Partners have undertaken a massive sensitization campaign for it’s MSME members which constitutes 67% of the total membership of 9000+ through Project TECHSAKSHAM,” he said.

    Commenting on the partnership, Ajay Sehgal, SVP- SME and SoHo, Vodafone Idea Business Services said, “The growth of MSMEs is critical to realise the goal of 5 trillion dollar economy by 2025. It is imperative for MSMEs to embark on the digital journey, adopt new technologies and achieve sustainable competitiveness. We are pleased to be associated with TECHSAKSHAM and firmly believe it is a great platform led by MSME ministry, CII and supported by Tech partners that gives MSMEs an opportunity to access and avail new technologies with ease. Our wide array of digital-first solutions and tools allows us to partner Small businesses to create their digital identity and provide a strong backbone in projects such as this, led by MSME ministry and CII.”

    Through various policy recommendations, knowledge sessions, mentoring initiatives, and useful resource banks for MSMEs, TECHSAKSHAM will help the ecosystem address critical barriers such as awareness and cost of technology, purchase or maintenance, resources, and manpower required to run the technologies, return on investments, etc.

  • Vodafone Idea and Kia motors india enter partnership for uvo connected car services

    Vodafone Idea and Kia motors india enter partnership for uvo connected car services

    MUMBAI: Vodafone Idea, India’s leading telecom service provider and Kia Motors, have signed a partnership for the India debut of UVO connected car system with the new Kia Seltos – a technologically advanced and refined mid-SUV equipped with a range of market and world-first features designed to make driving safer and less stressful.

    The partnership between the companies will enable Kia Seltos to function with Advanced Connected Car Functionality. Vodafone Idea’s expertise in automotive IoT will additionally help Kia deploy a strong, connected solution in the Indian market through integration of eSIMS with Voice, 3G/4G data, SMS, Secured APN service and API integration. The solution empowers Kia to locate its cars, enable real-time exchange of data and power a whole range of telematics enabled connected car services to its customers.

    Speaking about the partnership, Nick Gliddon, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited said, “Connected Cars, once an aspirational concept in the Indian market, has become a reality now. As industry and consumers adapt to this digital disruption, it gives Vodafone Idea Business Services an opportunity to introduce end-to-end IoT solutions to our automobile partners. Our global expertise and deep understanding of Indian consumers helped us to work closely with Kia Motors and make connected cars a reality for Kia Motors in India.”

    Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Manohar Bhat, Vice President and Head – Sales and Marketing, Kia Motors India said, “We are excited to be associated with Vodafone Idea – India's leading telecom service provider, to offer a seamless connectivity experience of our ultra-modern UVO connected system in the Seltos. Kia Motors India aims to enhance the in-cabin and driving experience of our customers and we are confident that this partnership will enable them to be able to fully experience the array of connected and interactive features provided by UVO connect seamlessly, anywhere and everywhere.”

    The mid-SUV, Kia Seltos includes UVO connected car technology powered by Vodafone Idea and provides as many as 37 smart features under five separate sections – navigation, safety and security, vehicle management, remote control and convenience. The smart features offered in Kia Seltos under the specified sections include, AI voice command, stolen vehicle tracking and immobilization, auto collision notification, SOS-emergency assistance, remote engine start and stop, remotely operated air purifier and in-car air quality monitor. It will also come equipped with safety alerts for geo fence, time fence, speed and valet.