Vodafone Idea or Vi is one of India’s largest telecom players and continues to grapple with different challenges to compete in the market against Airtel and Jio. But that doesn’t mean Vi is going to shy away from competition, and it is equally going to be involved in India’s progress towards the 5G network in the coming months. Vi has partnered with the likes of Nokia and Ericsson to trial its 5G network, using the allocated trial spectrum in India. Vi is one of the telcos looking to bid for the 5G spectrum. Here are all the details regarding Vi 5G expected to launch, the 5G speed test and more that we know about.
Vi 5G Expected Launch In India
As the 5G spectrum auctions are going on right now, the Telecom Ministry has confirmed that the spectrum allocation is likely to be completed by mid-August, and within a month from that, telcos can offer their 5G services in India. Vi is likely to follow the same schedule for the 5G launch in India. The telco is bidding for a 5G spectrum in different circles, and we will have more clarity on its focus once the auctions come to an end. Having said that, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has confirmed that in 2022, 5G services are going to be available in 13 cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad and a few more.
Vi 5G Internet Speed
Vi has been keeping itself busy with 5G network trials since last year, and in most cases, the telco has seen encouraging results. In September last year, Vi claimed it got a peak 5G speed of 3.7Gbps in Pune, and then in November, the telco managed to get a 100Mbps average speed in a rural area in Gandhinagar. More recently, Vi tested its 5G network on a mobile handset and got a download speed of 1.2Gbps on the 5G network in Bengaluru. These speeds are significantly faster than what Vi 4G network can deliver using a 4G smartphone.
Vi 5G Trials
Vi 5G trials have been going for over a year, and the telco has witnessed a progressive growth in the network performance using the allotted trail 5G spectrum. Most recently, Vi conducted its 5G network trial on street furniture like electric poles, bus stands, traffic lights, etc. Vi has undertaken 5G network trials in major cities over the past few years. It is also going to conduct 5G network tests on street furniture in major cities, including the Delhi International Airport, Kandula Port in Gujarat and Bhopal. 5G trials were also done at the MG Road Metro Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka. These tests were done using 5G small cells and Nokia’s E-band MW (microwave) network.
Vi 5G Spectrum
With the recent auction by the Indian government, Vodafone Idea has managed to acquire spectrum in 3300MHz and 26GHz 5G bands to deliver 5G internet speed to its customers. Vodafone Idea acquired a 3300MHz spectrum in 17 circles and 26 GHz spectrum in 16 circles. Moreover, it has also acquired a 4G spectrum in three circles. The operator has bought the spectrum for Rs 18,799 crore.
Vi 5G Latest News
Vodafone Idea’s Promotors Unwilling to Infuse Captial in Vi (January 04, 2023)
Vodafone Idea’s promoters are reportedly unwilling to infuse more capital into the telco. The promoters are only willing to infuse around Rs 3,000 crore to revive the company, which is too less as the operator currently needs around Rs 45,000 crore to sustain itself. This also makes it difficult for the operator to finalise the proposal for the Indian government to convert its deferred adjusted gross revenue dues into equity.
Vodafone Idea Continues to Lose its Subscribers in the Absence of 5G (December 26, 2022)
Vodafone Idea has been continuously losing its subscribers in the absence of the 5G launch. The company has lost around 38.1 million subscribers in 19 months. This is primarily because its high-quality consumers are now switching to its competitors like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
Vodafone Idea is yet to Set up a 5G Base Station in India (December 21, 2022)
Vodafone Idea (Vi) is yet to start setting up a 5G base station in India. The debt-ridden telecom operator has not set up a single 5G base station in the country, while its rivals Reliance Jio and Airtel are way ahead in the competition. The government had asked the operators to add at least 10,000 base stations every week. Reliance Jio added around 17,687 stations till November 26, while Airtel had set up around 3,293 stations.
Vodafone Idea Survival in on Stake as Indian Government Ask for Fresh Fund Infusion (December 16, 2022)
The loss-making telecom operator, Vodafone Idea (Vi), is again in trouble waters, as the government has asked the operator to make a fresh equity infusion by January-February. The government has asked the operator’s promoters, Vodafone Plc and Aditya Birla Group, to make a fresh equity infusion of around Rs 10,000 crore. The government will help the operator with a revival package if the operator can put in the money. Moreover, the Indian government wants the operator to bring a fresh business plan for its survival, including the rolling out of 4G and 5G networks.
Delay in Govt Acquisition could stall Vodafone Idea’s 5G Rollout Plans (December 05, 2022)
Vodafone Idea seems again to be in trouble water once again as the Indian government is yet to accept equity of the deferred payment of interest and adjusted gross revenue. The Vodafone Idea board has approved the conversion of the total amount of around Rs 16,000 crore into equity, making the Indian government the single-largest shareholder with a 35.8 per cent stake. However, the government is yet to accept this offer, which has hampered Vi’s fundraising plans for the 5G roll out.
Indian Govt Told Vodafone Idea to roll out 5G Services in India for Equity Conversion (November 10, 2022)
The department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed Vodafone Idea to roll out its 5G services before taking any step to convert the deferred interest payment to equity. The government has told the operator to roll out 5G services and get investors on board before the government converts its Rs 16,310 crore of deferred payment into equity. The conversion will give the government 33 per cent stake in the company.
Indus Towers Agrees with Vodafone Idea’s Revised Payment Plan (November 01, 2022)
Indus Towers has agreed with Vodafone Idea’s suggestion of softer payment terms to pay off its debts. The operator has suggested paying 100 per cent of the sums billed after December 31 and a portion of the monthly billing up until that point. The operator will pay the remaining balance due as of December 31 between January and July 2023.
Vodafone Idea to Reportedly Sell its Convertible Bonds to Pay Tower Rental (October 25, 2022)
Vodafone Idea is reportedly looking to sell its Rs 16 billion worth of convertible bonds to ATC Telecom Infrastructure. The funds will be used by the telecom operator to pay for the tower rentals. According to a report, the operator currently owns over Rs 20 billion tower rental to ATC and around Rs 70 billion to Indus Tower. With this, the company will be looking to settle some of its debt which will help to prepare for the company to roll out 5G services in India.
Vodafone Idea Might lose Subscribers to Airtel and Jio (October 11, 2022)
Vodafone Idea might lose its subscribers to Airtel and Reliance Jio if it does not launch 5G services on time. The telecom operator is struggling with funding issues and losses, which is making it difficult to roll out 5G services. As per a report, the operator might lose its top-end subscribers to Airtel and Jio as both operators have already announced their 5G services.
Vodafone Idea Introduces its 5G Services in India at India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022 (October 3, 2022)
Vodafone Idea has finally introduced its 5G network in India. The company showcased some use cases of the 5G network at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022 and said that the 5G services would catalyse the digital economy in the country.
Vodafone Idea Partners with OnePlus to Expand 5G Device Ecosystem (September 29, 2022)
Vodafone Idea has partnered with the OnePlus smartphone marker to drive the 5G device ecosystem in India. Both companies will work together to make 5G technology more accessible to smartphone users in the near future. Vi postpaid and prepaid customers with suitable OnePlus models are invited to visit the Vi exhibit in Hall 4, Booth no. 4.15, to learn more about the 5G technology experience.
Indian Government Might Acquire Some Stakes in Vodafone Idea Ahead of 5G Roll out in India (September 15, 2022)
The Indian government might acquire some stakes in Vodafone Idea ahead of the operator’s plan to roll out 5G services in India. Vodafone Idea is currently under a massive debt of Rs 1.94 trillion. The company is planning to convert Rs 160 billion of interest liability, which is payable to the government, as equity. This will make the Indian government acquire a 33 per cent stake in the company, as per a new report.
Vodafone Idea (Vi) 5G Roll Out Might Get Delayed (September 01, 2022)
Vodafone Idea (Vi) 5G service might get delayed in India as the operator is currently struggling with financial funds. As per a report by ET Telecom, Vi might take a little longer to launch its 5G services in India. The company is in talks with external investors to arrange the funds for its 5G rollout. Once the funds are arranged, the company might roll out its 5G service in the country.
Vodafone Idea Conducts 5G Trials in Bhopal, Achieves 1 Gbps of Internet Speed (August 01, 2022)
Vodafone Idea has achieved 100 Gbps of internet speed in recent 5G trials in Bhopal. The company has recently conducted a 5G small cell test in Bhopal. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has chosen 5G small cell tests for the function of street furniture in Bhopal. This will help the operator to help roll out next-generation 5G technology.
