Vodafone Idea (Vi) has announced that it has completed the minimum deployment obligations (MRO) for all 5G circles. All telcos have to meet the Indian Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) minimum 5G deployment obligations by a certain deadline or risk losing their allocated spectrum.
“Vodafone Idea has completed the Minimum Deployment Obligations (MRO) in all Vi 5G circles for both the frequency bands,” the company said in a statement.
Vi is slow to roll out 5G
Vi has lagged behind in commercial 5G rollout due to a funding crunch while rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have already rolled out 5G. The joint venture, set up by Aditya Birla Group and Britain’s Vodafone Group, raised investment by participating in a Rs 18,000-crore follow-on public offer (FPO) and investing Rs 2,075 crore of its own.
India’s third-largest telecom operator said the funds will be used for network expansion and the critical rollout of 5G services, as the company sees the delay in 5G adoption as an opportunity to roll out the technology in a cost-effective manner.
Vi is losing customers
Vi is also losing customers due to its inability to offer 5G to its users. Meanwhile, the telecom giant’s 4G subscriber base grew from 122.6 million to 126.3 million year-on-year. Average data consumption of 4G subscribers increased 2.3% to 154.4 million.
“We have completely shut down 3G in six regions, with Kerala joining five other regions, namely Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai and Kolkata, and 3G spectrum is being completely reallocated to 4G,” the company said.
“Our 4G network covers over one billion Indians. We have completed our minimum rollout obligations for 5G in four regions: Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Punjab,” the statement added. According to a report, Vi is focusing its investments on 17 priority regions, which account for around 98% of its total revenue.
“Vodafone Idea has completed the Minimum Deployment Obligations (MRO) in all Vi 5G circles for both the frequency bands,” the company said in a statement.
Vi is slow to roll out 5G
Vi has lagged behind in commercial 5G rollout due to a funding crunch while rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have already rolled out 5G. The joint venture, set up by Aditya Birla Group and Britain’s Vodafone Group, raised investment by participating in a Rs 18,000-crore follow-on public offer (FPO) and investing Rs 2,075 crore of its own.
India’s third-largest telecom operator said the funds will be used for network expansion and the critical rollout of 5G services, as the company sees the delay in 5G adoption as an opportunity to roll out the technology in a cost-effective manner.
Vi is losing customers
Vi is also losing customers due to its inability to offer 5G to its users. Meanwhile, the telecom giant’s 4G subscriber base grew from 122.6 million to 126.3 million year-on-year. Average data consumption of 4G subscribers increased 2.3% to 154.4 million.
“We have completely shut down 3G in six regions, with Kerala joining five other regions, namely Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai and Kolkata, and 3G spectrum is being completely reallocated to 4G,” the company said.
“Our 4G network covers over one billion Indians. We have completed our minimum rollout obligations for 5G in four regions: Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Punjab,” the statement added. According to a report, Vi is focusing its investments on 17 priority regions, which account for around 98% of its total revenue.
