Vodafone Idea Could Lose High ARPU Customers Because of Delay in 5G Launch: ICICI Direct

Vi's postpaid subscriber base has been the largest for a long time, but that's not likely going to be the case if the telco doesn't launch 5G soon and improve the performance of 4G networks.

Highlights

  • Vodafone Idea (Vi) has not yet made any comments on when it is going to launch 5G in India.
  • This delay could cause the company to lose out on high-paying customers.
  • That would be detrimental to the average revenue per user (ARPU) of the telco.

Follow Us

Vodafone Idea

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has not yet made any comments on when it is going to launch 5G in India. This delay could cause the company to lose out on high-paying customers. That would be detrimental to the average revenue per user (ARPU) of the telco. Vi's competitors are rolling out 5G at full flow and plan to offer complete 5G coverage in approximately 1.5 to 2 years. Vodafone Idea's funding woes have stalled the telco from making moves around 5G. The telco has already done testing of its 5G networks in Delhi and has also demonstrated use cases on its 5G networks at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022.




According to ICICI Direct, VIL (Vodafone Idea Limited) remains the weakest private telecom company. The telco has a series of debt repayment duties in the near future, and for that, it desperately needs capital. Even though the government has gone ahead with the dues to equity conversion, it only helps the telco in staying afloat and doesn't guarantee any growth in the short or medium term. For VIL, the quarterly loss widened to Rs 7900 crore, which is approximately $1 billion USD.

Read More - Vodafone Idea Q3 Loss Widens Minutes of Usage Go Down as Subs Dip

ICICI Direct said, "The delay in 5G launch could further lead to elevated churn in high ARPU and postpaid customer. We highlight that recent government relief measures (including interest on AGR dues moratorium conversion) would ensure survival of VIL but future growth outlook remains gloomy."

The high-paying customers who want to get the best speeds with 5G won't have any other option but to switch to either Airtel or Reliance Jio. Vi's postpaid subscriber base has been the largest for a long time, but that's not likely going to be the case if the telco doesn't launch 5G soon and improve the performance of 4G networks.

Read More - Vodafone Idea Equity Holding for Govt After Conversion

Will Vi be Able to Launch 5G Soon?

Vodafone Idea needs funds to go ahead and do anything it wants to, including rolling out 5G. The telco's CEO said that Vi is already in talks with the banks to raise more funds via debt and is also talking with other parties to raise funds via equity. The Aditya Birla Group has promised the government that it would bring in fresh investments for the struggling telco. This was the promise that triggered the government to convert dues into equity.

That said, Vi is unlikely to launch 5G soon. This is because as soon as the telco raises funds, its first priority would be to service existing debt and dues to vendors, lenders, and tower companies.

Reported By

Editor in Chief

Tanay is someone with whom you can chill and talk about technology and life. A fitness enthusiast and cricketer, he loves to read and write.

Recent Comments

TheAndroidFreak :

Off Topic : ITEL S25 4G - Unisoc T620 - 8GB/128GB - 50MP - 5000/18W - November 10th!

OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8…

TheAndroidFreak :

Samsung plans to shut down 50% of production lines at its chip foundry business to cut costs amid sluggish orders…

OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8…

TheAndroidFreak :

Off Topic : POCO X7 Expected specs: - Dimensity 7300 - 6.67" Curved AMOLED, 1.5k, 120Hz - 50MP + 8MP…

OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8…

Shivraj Roy :

i have seen this site since 2022 btw these are under metro 1 pillars

Jio Delivers Data at 15 Cents a GB: Mukesh Ambani…

TheAndroidFreak :

If both BSNL 4G and Vi 4G is good at a location, people are preferring BSNL. Those who want to…

Vodafone Idea offers Deepawali Rewards: Full Details Here

Load More
Subscribe
Notify of
10 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments