The government has ruled out any relief plan currently in place for Vodafone Idea (Vi) over its pending adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, with Union Minister of State for Communications Chandra S. Pemmasani confirming that no fresh assistance is under consideration either for Vi or other telecom operators.
Also Read: Retail Shareholders Raise Alarm Over Vodafone Idea’s Future at EGM
No Relief on the Horizon for Vodafone Idea
"Not at the moment," Pemmasani told NDTV Profit about any plans for relief for Vodafone Idea. Addressing reports on Bharti Airtel's request to convert dues into equity likely not being approved, Pemmasani reportedly said, "Each situation is different, depending on the circumstances. We are taking a call on Vi because we want a good alternative, but we do not think there is a need for these kinds of things for other players."
Also Read: Banks Hesitant to Extend Fresh Loans to Vodafone Idea After AGR Verdict
AGR Dues and Supreme Court Setback
Vodafone Idea currently owes Rs 83,400 crore in AGR dues and had sought waivers amounting to over Rs 45,000 crore in interest, penalties, and interest on penalties. The Supreme Court recently dismissed Vi’s plea for relief, further straining the company’s already precarious financial standing.
Also Read: Communications Minister Rules Out AGR Relief, Says Vodafone Idea Must Stand on Its Own
Fair Competition in the Market
The minister reiterated the government's focus on fostering fair competition in the telecom sector, noting that while a free-market environment is essential, capital-intensive industries like telecom are unlikely to support more than three or four major players.
"Government wants fair competition. In a free market with large capex related businesses like telecom, it's not easy to create 5-6 companies. Ideally we want 3-4 companies. In the end, the consumers will decide," Pemmasani was quoted as saying in the report dated July 1, 2025.
Digital India Ambitions
His remarks echoed earlier comments by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who warned that a telecom duopoly would not support India’s digital ambitions.
Starlink Cleared to Enter Indian Market
Meanwhile, Pemmasani also confirmed that SpaceX's Starlink has been granted a license to operate in India. The satellite internet company is expected to begin installing ground infrastructure soon, paving the way for its entry into the Indian market.
Telecom Duopoly Driven by Market Forces
According to a CNBC-TV18 report dated July 2, 2025, the Minister of State for Communications said that India's telecom duopoly was not a result of policy, but rather market realities driven by capital intensity. "The duopoly has not been created intentionally by anybody. Telecom requires massive capex," Pemmasani was quoted as saying, adding that Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel were able to deploy capital effectively, enabling them to expand deeply across the country. "Because of them, we were able to achieve the fastest 5G rollout in the world," he added.
Vodafone Idea Support
"From the government side, we converted nearly Rs 36,000 crore into equity (in Vodafone Idea). They still have problems and keep seeking government support. We continue to accelerate, but our goal is not to have only two players," he reportedly said, adding that the country needs four to five telcos, while speaking during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 roadshow in Bengaluru.
Commitment to Reviving BSNL
The MoS also reiterated the government's commitment to reviving BSNL. "BSNL's revival is taking longer because we are also focused on building homegrown solutions. But eventually, BSNL will become a strong alternative," he reportedly said.
India's 6G Vision
Looking ahead, the minister said India aims to launch 6G services in step with global peers such as the United States and China, both targeting deployment by 2030. Unlike previous generations, where India lagged in standard-setting, the country is playing a more active role in the development of 6G.
"With 2G, 3G, 4G, and even 5G, India was not part of the global standard-setting process. But with 6G, we've already contributed to about 10 percent of the global standards and have filed over 200 patents," Pemmasani was quoted as saying.
Expanding Digital Infrastructure
"We are now investing USD 18 billion more to connect 40,000 additional gram panchayats and 1.5 crore rural households with high-speed internet. From importing 75 percent of our mobile devices, we are now exporting Rs 1.8 trillion worth of devices annually," he was quoted as saying.
AI as Both Disruptor and Enabler in Telecom
On emerging technologies, Pemmasani reportedly said artificial intelligence (AI) will act both as an enabler and a disruptor. He cited the development of a financial fraud risk indicator by the telecom sector to proactively identify and prevent fraud.
"AI can enable fraud, but it can also empower citizens. For example, telecom has developed a financial fraud risk indicator to proactively profile users by risk and prevent fraud," he explained, as mentioned in the report.
You can also join the TelecomTalk WhatsApp Community, TelecomTalk WhatsApp Channel or Telegram group Telecom Circle for updates and discussions.
