Latest news with #VodafoneIdea
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India narrows mobile internet speed gap with US, China
India, the largest data consumer globally, ranks 26th in average internet connection speed and is narrowing the gap with other major markets, data from US-based speed test company Ookla showed. Ookla's data showed India had a median download speed of 136.53 Mbps in the April to June period, having moved up 93 spots from No. 119 in September 2022, driven by rapidly expanding 5G coverage. In comparison, the US ranked 13th and China 8th, with median download speeds of 176.75 Mbps and 207.98 Mbps, respectively. According to the Ericsson Mobility Report , the per capita data consumption in India is the world's highest at 32 GB per month. It is 29 GB in China and 22 GB in the US. 'India witnessed a landmark transformation in its digital connectivity with the commercial launch of 5G in October 2022, propelling one of the world's fastest nationwide 5G network expansions,' said Affandy Johan, industry analyst, Ookla. 'This launch had a dramatic influence on download speeds across the country.' According to EY, 5G towers already account for about 57% of the total telecom towers in India. It said the country's 5G subscriber base reached 326 million at the end of March, accounting for some 28% of the total wireless connections. At the end of December 2024, India's average monthly 5G data usage per user stood at 40 GB, almost 1.5 times the average mobile data consumption. Industry experts said telecom companies in India spent nearly Rs 1.40 lakh crore in capital expenditure on 5G between FY23 and FY25, according to industry estimates. Vodafone Idea attributed the growth in both quality and quantity of telecom consumption in India to several factors, including low cost of data, rapid penetration of affordable smartphones, and sustained, large-scale investments by telecom operators in expanding both capacity and coverage. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel did not respond to ET's queries. ?Indian telcos have a fine record of always putting consumer affordability on priority despite at times that not being commensurate with their own cost to serve or produce,' said Sandip Das, a telecom veteran who has headed Reliance Jio and Hutchison Essar (now Vodafone Idea). 'This has led to largescale adoption and the fastest scale up to over a billion users.' Prashant Singhal, TMT emerging markets leader at EY Global said telecom operators need to balance revenue with network investments. 'Introducing tiered 5G pricing plans customised for different customer segments (e.g., heavy data users and gamers paying a premium) or for the matter content bundling with 5G plans would go a long way in enhancing customer value proposition,' Singhal said. Vinish Bawa, partner and leader, telecom, at PwC India, said that to sustain the pace of 5G expansion, telcos in India need to sharpen focus on rural coverage and plug indoor coverage gaps, besides investment in edge and cloud infrastructure to prepare for the AI-native future, while the government needs to ensure faster clearances for infrastructure deployment. Digital acceleration India's 600 million-strong smartphone base has also caused a big shift in digital acceleration. For instance, in 2024, Indians spent 4.9 hours per day on phone apps, a 3.1% growth over 2023, said EY, adding that in aggregate, India spent more than 1.1 trillion hours on digital platforms, higher than any other market worldwide. Meanwhile, subscription-based video of demand (SVOD) services increased five times in 2024 as compared with 2019, according to data from EY. India's digital payment ecosystem is also riding on greater smartphone penetration. Some 460 million people and 65 million merchants are using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Vodafone Idea rolls out 5G services in Nagpur: Data plan and more
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has officially launched its 5G services in Nagpur, marking another milestone in the telecom company's nationwide expansion of 5G services. With this rollout, Vi users in the Orange City can now access ultra-fast data on 5G-enabled devices, starting today (June 14). The Nagpur launch is part of Vi's broader plan to extend 5G coverage across 23 cities, with Pune, Nashik, and Aurangabad set to go live next. The telecom operator is focusing heavily on its 17 priority circles where it has already secured spectrum, having previously introduced 5G in major metros such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chandigarh, and Patna. Vodafone Idea introductory 5G offer As part of an introductory offer, Vodafone Idea is providing unlimited 5G data for users on plans starting at Rs 299. Customers can expect smoother HD streaming, low-latency gaming, faster downloads, and improved cloud access. Vi has partnered with Ericsson to deploy energy-efficient infrastructure in Nagpur, including AI-powered Self-Organizing Networks (SON) that dynamically enhance network performance in real time. The goal, according to Operations Director Rohit Tandon, is to deliver 'future-ready connectivity' while reinforcing Vi's stronghold in Maharashtra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Commenting on the launch, Rohit Tandon, Operations Director, Vodafone Idea, said: 'As we launch Vi 5G in Nagpur, we are excited to bring the future of connectivity to orange city. With our next-gen 5G alongside our robust 4G services, we aim to provide more options and an enhanced experience to our users. We are committed to systematically expanding our 5G footprint across Maharashtra, in line with growing demand and 5G handset adoption.' AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Vodafone Idea slides 57% in a year; analysts warn of further downside below Rs 6.30
Vodafone Idea shares , down over 57% in the past year, continue to reflect a bearish trend as technical analysts highlight weak momentum and lack of investor interest. The stock was trading around Rs 7.26 on Wednesday, hovering near the lower end of its range, with no signs of a sustained recovery. Hardik Matalia, Derivatives Analyst at Choice Broking, said the stock remains entrenched in a long-term downtrend and has failed to attract meaningful investor participation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo 'Despite minor recoveries, Vodafone Idea has failed to show any sustained strength. The broader bias remains negative,' said Hardik Matalia, Derivatives Analyst at Choice Broking. 'A breakdown below Rs 6.30 could trigger further downside, while a sustainable move above Rs 10.50 is required to reverse sentiment.' He added that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 55.47 but has shown signs of weakness due to a negative crossover. The stock also trades below its long-term exponential moving averages, and any breach below short-term averages could reinforce bearish momentum. Short-term traders, he noted, should watch for a breakdown below Rs 7 before considering fresh shorting. For any buying opportunity, a strong reversal supported by volume would be essential. Live Events Drumil Vithlani, Technical Research Analyst at Bonanza Portfolio, echoed the bearish view. 'Vodafone Idea continues to trade within a falling channel pattern. It recently faced rejection near Rs 7.80, which reinforces that level as strong resistance,' he said. 'Unless the stock breaks out of this range decisively, the outlook will remain weak.' Immediate support lies at Rs 7.13, aligned with the 50-day EMA. A close below this level could open further downside toward Rs 6.80, he added. AGR Dues and Lack of Relief Keep Sentiment Tepid The technical weakness comes amid continued uncertainty around Vodafone Idea's massive adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. While the telco has sought further payment relief from the government, recent reports suggest that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is unlikely to grant any extension on the Rs 84,000 crore dues, payments for which are set to begin from FY26. This adds to the financial strain despite the government's earlier move to convert Rs 36,950 crore of dues into equity, giving it a 49% stake in the company. Subscriber Losses and Q4 Snapshot The company's total subscriber base fell below the 200-million mark in March 2025, underscoring the challenge it faces in retaining users amid fierce competition from Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel . Vodafone Idea reported a net loss of Rs 7,166 crore in Q4FY25, while revenue grew 3.8% year-on-year to Rs 11,014 crore. Sequentially, losses widened further. Also Read: Is the chemical sector entering a new supercycle? Top stocks already up 35–135% in 2025 ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Economic Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Vodafone Idea slides 57% in a year; analysts warn of further downside below Rs 6.30
Vodafone Idea shares, down over 57% in the past year, continue to reflect a bearish trend as technical analysts highlight weak momentum and lack of investor interest. The stock was trading around Rs 7.26 on Wednesday, hovering near the lower end of its range, with no signs of a sustained recovery. ADVERTISEMENT Hardik Matalia, Derivatives Analyst at Choice Broking, said the stock remains entrenched in a long-term downtrend and has failed to attract meaningful investor participation. 'Despite minor recoveries, Vodafone Idea has failed to show any sustained strength. The broader bias remains negative,' said Hardik Matalia, Derivatives Analyst at Choice Broking. 'A breakdown below Rs 6.30 could trigger further downside, while a sustainable move above Rs 10.50 is required to reverse sentiment.' He added that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 55.47 but has shown signs of weakness due to a negative crossover. The stock also trades below its long-term exponential moving averages, and any breach below short-term averages could reinforce bearish traders, he noted, should watch for a breakdown below Rs 7 before considering fresh shorting. For any buying opportunity, a strong reversal supported by volume would be Vithlani, Technical Research Analyst at Bonanza Portfolio, echoed the bearish view. ADVERTISEMENT 'Vodafone Idea continues to trade within a falling channel pattern. It recently faced rejection near Rs 7.80, which reinforces that level as strong resistance,' he said. 'Unless the stock breaks out of this range decisively, the outlook will remain weak.'Immediate support lies at Rs 7.13, aligned with the 50-day EMA. A close below this level could open further downside toward Rs 6.80, he added. ADVERTISEMENT The technical weakness comes amid continued uncertainty around Vodafone Idea's massive adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. While the telco has sought further payment relief from the government, recent reports suggest that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is unlikely to grant any extension on the Rs 84,000 crore dues, payments for which are set to begin from adds to the financial strain despite the government's earlier move to convert Rs 36,950 crore of dues into equity, giving it a 49% stake in the company. ADVERTISEMENT The company's total subscriber base fell below the 200-million mark in March 2025, underscoring the challenge it faces in retaining users amid fierce competition from Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. Vodafone Idea reported a net loss of Rs 7,166 crore in Q4FY25, while revenue grew 3.8% year-on-year to Rs 11,014 crore. Sequentially, losses widened further. ADVERTISEMENT Also Read: Is the chemical sector entering a new supercycle? Top stocks already up 35–135% in 2025 (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Vodafone Idea COO Abhijit Kishore re-elected as COAI Chairperson
Vodafone Idea Chief Operating Officer Abhijit Kishore will continue to hold the position of COAI chairperson for 2025-26 while Bharti Airtel Chief Regulatory Officer Rahul Vatts will be the vice chairperson, the industry body said in a release on Wednesday. COAI, whose members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, has concluded its Annual General Body meeting for FY 2024-25, it said. "The COAI Leadership for 2025-26 was also announced at the Kishore, Chief Operating Officer, Vodafone Idea, will once again hold the position of Chairperson while Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer, Bharti Airtel, will be the Vice Chairperson," it said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Kishore has experience of over three decades with the Indian telecom industry across functions, organisations and geographies. Prior to taking on the role of COO, he was heading the Enterprise Business of Vodafone Idea as the Chief Enterprise Business Officer. Under him, VIL Business introduced technologies such as integrated IoT, managed services and security as a service to cater to businesses in the digital era. Live Events Vatts has 29 years of experience and is an expert on telecom and broadcasting licensing, economic regulations, spectrum management and regulatory litigation. As the chief regulatory officer of Bharti Airtel, Vatts heads the government relations, policy and regulatory interfaces across the company's business spanning mobility broadband, DTH, data centre, submarine cables, its international subsidiaries and all digital lines of business. He is chair of GSMA's spectrum policy working group and a member of GSMA's global policy group as well as the spectrum strategy and management group. Vatts is also a governing council member of several telecom standardisation bodies in India. COAI Director General SP Kochhar noted that the telecom industry has been resilient among challenges and opportunities, and continues to serve the nation as an essential service and as a value-added horizontal. It supports other verticals with robust digital connectivity. "As India advances with 5G and allied technologies, COAI is optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for the industry and trusts that the leadership will continue to be instrumental in driving the association and the sector's efforts and growth forward," he said.
