VODAFONE INDIA
5G adoption on a roll in India, yet tariff upside may be minimal: India Ratings
India's 5G subscriber base is expected to rise to 20-25% within a year, but significant tariff hikes remain uncertain, says Ind-Ra. While telcos are better positioned for tariff increases, global trends show no major premium for 5G over 4G. Ind-Ra maintains a neutral sector outlook, noting investment peaks and potential market share shifts towards Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
GX Group to make telecom gear in India for the world
GX Group plans to establish a new Rs 100-crore manufacturing facility in India to export FTTH equipment globally, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This will be their second plant, following a 2021 Haryana unit. The new facility will produce Wi-Fi routers and GPON equipment for Indian and international markets, including Europe and Africa.
DoT dials cops to stop network gear theft
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a directive to tackle rampant theft of critical network gear causing Rs 800 crore losses for telcos, disrupting 4G/5G expansions and affecting mobile coverage quality.
Airtel likely to be biggest 5G spectrum buyer in June 6 sale: Analysts
Bharti Airtel is expected to increase its sub-GHz airwave holdings in the 900 MHz band across multiple circles in the upcoming spectrum auction, potentially becoming the top buyer despite Reliance Jio submitting the highest earnest money deposit (EMD). Airtel aims to bolster its rural mobile broadband coverage by enhancing its low-band airwaves arsenal. While Jio leads in sub-GHz spectrum holdings, Airtel's recent focus on rural expansion and improved financial position suggests significant investments in 900 MHz spectrum across 12 circles.
Vodafone Idea may find it tough to raise tariffs after polls, say analysts
Vodafone Idea faces challenges in increasing ARPU through tariff hikes post-election, as price-sensitive customers resist. 42% of Vi users may downgrade or close secondary SIMs due to upcoming higher tariffs. Vi seeks to upgrade 2G to 4G, double Ebitda by 2025. Vi has been securing funds for 4G expansion and potential 5G rollout.
Voda Idea launches extra data for new 4G and 5G smartphone users
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has introduced 'Vi Guarantee Program' offering 130GB extra data for 4G and 5G smartphone users. Users receive 10GB every 28 days for 13 cycles. Chief Marketing Officer Avneesh Khosla stated the program aims to enhance data experience. Available to users on specific plans, excluding certain regions. Aimed at maximizing smartphone potential.
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Voda Idea says it’s in talks with Ericsson and other network vendors for buying 5G gear, shares jump 12% on BSE
Earlier this week, Ericsson India MD Nitin Bansal had told ET that the Swedish gear maker is hopeful of getting some 4G/5G deals from Vi soon, especially after the beleaguered telco recently raised over Rs 20,000 crore via the equity route.
Telco EMDs for June 5G sale lowest since 2014 auction: Analysts
India's top telcos submit low earnest money deposits (EMDs) for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, marking the lowest since 2014. Analysts suggest selective bidding, foreseeing maximum spectrum demand of $2.5 billion, far below previous auctions. Reliance Jio leads EMDs; Airtel and Vi likely focus on renewals and selective bidding for 5G rollout.
Ericsson mulls telecom equipment export from India in future; expects 5G use cases to emerge locally
Ericsson India Managing Director Nitin Bansal, at a company's event to showcase 5G technology, said the company is actively engaging with academia, partners, and ecosystem players to develop relevant India-specific use cases.
Ericsson hopeful of securing Vi deals: Nitin Bansal
Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications equipment manufacturer, anticipates securing 4G/5G contracts from Vodafone Idea (Vi) in the near future, following the recent successful equity raise of over Rs 20,000 crore by the struggling telecom company. Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India, expressed this optimism in an interview with ET. Bansal also mentioned that Ericsson is considering the possibility of exporting its 5G equipment from India.
Vi fundraising may not click until new govt comes online
Vi’s lenders are seeking clarity on future equity conversions by the government, as well as the outcome of the telco’s curative plea in Supreme Court over an earlier order on its arrears based on adjusted gross revenue. These issues, according to bankers, will ultimately determine the cash-strapped company’s future regulatory payment obligations, especially after the moratorium on the payment ends next year.
Telcos, tech players join forces to counter pesky calls/SMS
Telecom operators in India leverage blockchain-based DLT to combat pesky calls, SMS phishing, and protect users. Collaboration with COAI, Trai, and regulators to implement consent frameworks and draft consumer protection guidelines.
Vodafone Idea’s AGR dues to plunge 46% if SC verdict on curative petition is favourable: Analysts
Vodafone Idea's AGR dues may drop by 46% to Rs 38,400 crore with relief on curative petition, analysts say. Vi seeks waiver of penalty component in AGR demand. Payment reduction could provide cash flow relief, but challenges remain with significant payouts ahead. Management hopeful for Supreme Court relief on AGR calculation errors. Financial restructuring and strategic partnerships planned for Vi's future growth.
Bidding wars back? Reliance Jio move signals a spectrum of possibilities
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio leads with a Rs 3,000 crore deposit for the June spectrum auction, while Airtel and Vi follow with Rs 1,050 crore and Rs 300 crore, respectively. Despite no license renewals, Jio's hefty deposit earns it top eligibility points. The auction targets Rs 96,317.65 crore in 5G airwaves.
Vi's Rs 18,000-cr fundraise will increase competition, but it's good for Indian telecom, says Airtel's Gopal Vittal
The Airtel managing director said that the telecom industry urgently needs substantial tariff repair, ideally via multiple rounds of price hikes to boost average revenue per user (ARPU) to the Rs 300 level as the current returns are way too low.
Vodafone Idea cash Ebitda seen growing 32% CAGR during FY24-28
Analysts predict Vodafone Idea's cash EBITDA to grow at a 32% compounded annual rate from FY24-28, aided by customer additions and average revenue per user (ARPU) growth driven by potential tariff increases. Following a targeted fundraise of Rs 45,000 crore, Vi is expected to achieve around 3.3% and 10% compounded annual growth in customer additions and ARPU respectively over FY24-28. However, caution is advised as Vi may need to provide about Rs 22,000 crore in bank guarantees to the government post the completion of the payment moratorium on regulatory payouts in September 2025.
Vi investment focus on 4G and 5G: CEO Akshaya Moondra
Vodafone Idea CEO Akshaya Moondra has announced plans to invest in 4G services expansion and 5G rollouts, announcing the successful completion of a ₹18,000-crore follow-on public offer (FPO) subscribed seven times. The telco is committed to customer satisfaction and aims to deliver high-quality service. The joint venture between Vodafone and Aditya Birla Group has set aside over ₹12,000 crore for 4G expansion and 5G rollouts, with ₹5,720 crore allocated for 5G rollouts.
Spectrum sale: Limited airwaves, huge investments discourage new entrants, say analysts
Analysts point to a lack of spectrum availability in key bands, coupled with high initial investment requirements of $16 billion for 5G airwaves and network rollouts, as key reasons why no new bidders have applied for the upcoming spectrum auction in Kolkata. Existing operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have already deployed countrywide 5G networks, further deterring new entrants due to the significant costs involved.
Reliance Jio and Airtel's net worth surges ahead of 5G auction; Vodafone Idea struggles
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel's net worth has seen significant improvements since the last spectrum auction in August 2022, while Vodafone Idea's negative net worth has widened. The upcoming auction on June 6 will see the three telecom players competing for Rs 96,317.65 crore worth of 5G airwaves. Reliance Jio's net worth as of March 31, 2023, was Rs 2,15,992 crore, Airtel's net worth rose to Rs 86,260 crore by December 31, 2023, and Vodafone Idea's net worth registered a negative of Rs 1,16,886 crore.
Vi expects to clear all vendor dues in FY26, say analysts
According to Vodafone Idea management, proceeds from Rs 18,000 crore FPO and proposed Rs 25,000 crore debt funding would enable telco to also upgrade network, say analysts.
Telecom data centres prepare to take the heat of summer months
The persistent heatwave conditions pose increased cooling challenges for telecom data centers, critical components of broadband communications infrastructure responsible for call/data routing and safeguarding essential customer data. Executives from Bharti Airtel's Nxtra Data and Reliance Jio emphasize leveraging renewable energy integration, energy-efficient enhancements, and advanced cooling technologies to manage costs and ensure uninterrupted data center operations.
ET Graphics: 5G spectrum auction action, likely bidding strategy, estimated spends and what is at stake
India's next 5G spectrum auction, a pivotal event in the telecom sector, commences on June 6. Analysts anticipate Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) to target particular bands in markets where they have renewals, while Reliance Jio's interest is subdued due to its existing 5G airwaves and absence of renewals for six years.
Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea submit applications for upcoming Rs 96,317 crore spectrum auction
India's three private telecom operators, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, are set to bid for a piece of 5G spectrum worth Rs 96,317.65 crore in the next auction, set to start on June 6. The auction will cover airwaves in various bands, with the government expected to make some selective buying. The auction is expected to be a muted affair, with top telcos having sufficient 5G airwaves for their current needs.
Reliance Jio outpaces Airtel in March user adds, Vi cedes more ground: Trai
As per Friday's release Airtel recorded the highest percentage of active subscribers on its network at 99.91%. Active, or visitor location register (VLR), data indicates the number of mobile users regularly using a mobile network.
Vodafone Idea seeks Rs 15,000 cr loans in next two years
Vodafone Idea Ltd. plans to secure loans totaling 150 billion rupees ($1.8 billion) from lenders over the next two years. This is part of a larger strategy to raise 250 billion rupees in debt to repay creditors, roll out 5G, and bid for additional spectrum, following a recent $2.2 billion share sale.
Voda Idea a national asset, FPO sets stage for 2.0: KM Birla
“Vi is not just a telecom company. It’s a national asset with 215 million users and about 8000 MHz spectrum. That so many marquee investors participated in this equity issuance is a testament to the government’s vision of a digital India,” Birla said in an official statement following Vi’s FPO listing on the NSE Thursday.
FPO to put Voda Idea on growth path: SBI chairman
SBI chairman Khara credited Vi's FPO success to Birla's leadership, highlighting the telco's funding programs and competition goals. The retail investor trust in the Aditya Birla Group reflects confidence in Vi's future growth in the telecom sector.
Three pvt telecom operators ideal for India: Sunil Mittal
A market with three private telecom companies is optimal for India, Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Mittal said on Thursday as debt-laden Vodafone Idea (Vi) got a financial lifeline allaying fears of a duopoly in the telecom sector. "My position has been consistent that three private operators are ideal for India," Mittal told ET. His comments come in the backdrop of Vi moving to secure its much-delayed funding.
UK’s Vodafone offers ‘no comment’ on Voda Idea backing
“The only position which Vodafone Group has taken and that is because of their own shareholders who have said that please ringfence the Indian operations with Indian assets. So, their source of funding is limited to their stake in Indus and generally if one has to look at monetization of Indus, then they would want Indus to get to its fair value. It has actually re-rated quite a lot.”
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