Vodafone Idea, the leading telecom operator in India, has disclosed its financial result and key achievements during the April-June quarter of 2024.
Revenue of Vodafone Idea has dropped 1.4 percent to Rs 105.1 billion during the April-June quarter of 2024 despite an increase in mobile ARPU.
Capex
Vodafone Idea has increased data capacity by ~7 percent till date. Vodafone Idea said it aims to grow the data capacity by ~15 percent by end September 2024. Vodafone Idea is also planning to increase 4G population coverage by ~16 million by end September 2024.
Vodafone Idea has expanded voice over WiFi in priority circles and at select locations in other circles. Vodafone Idea has shut down 3G sites in 7 circles including Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Mumbai and Kolkata.
Vodafone Idea is in the process of shutting down 3G across other circles as well.
Vodafone Idea has ~417,250 broadband sites as of June 30, 2024. Vodafone Idea has added ~6,600 4G sites during the quarter.
Vodafone Idea has deployed ~74,750 TDD sites, ~13,950 Massive MIMO sites and ~13,250 small cells till date.
Vodafone Idea has expanded LTE 900 presence in 14 circles at multiple locations, to improve customer experience.
Vodafone Idea will use the additional 900 MHz spectrum to expand LTE 900 MHz in 16 out of 17 priority circles.
Vodafone Idea’s 4G network covers over 1 billion Indians.
The number of 4G subscribers of Vodafone Idea has reached 126.7 million at the end of Q1FY25 vs 122.9 million in Q1FY24, an addition of 3.8 million 4G subscribers over last one year. The number of mobile subscribers has reached 210.1 million.
Vodafone Idea said it achieved 4.5 percent increase in ARPU to Rs 146 (up 4.5 percent) from Rs 139 in Q1FY24, primarily aided by hike in entry level plan and subscriber upgrades.
Vodafone Idea CEO Akshaya Moondra said: “We are in the process of expanding our 4G coverage and capacity as well as launch of 5G services. Our current Capex needs are being met out of equity funds. We are engaged with our lenders for tying up debt funding towards the execution of our network expansion with a planned capex of Rs 500 to 550 billion over next 3 years.”
Vodafone Idea has acquired 50 MHz of spectrum across low band and mid band spectrum (900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2500 MHz) in 11 circles for Rs 35.1 billion.
Besides the renewal of 900 MHz spectrum in UP West and West Bengal circles, Vodafone Idea enhanced 900MHz spectrum in 7 circles, namely Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP East and Kolkata for enhancing the experience of 4G customers.
Vodafone Idea will offer 4G on L900 in circles of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Punjab. It also added 1800 MHz spectrum in Madhya Pradesh and 2500 MHz spectrum in Bihar to increase the network capacity quickly.
Vodafone Idea said it holds the highest 4G spectrum per million subs amongst the 3 private operators and competitive 5G spectrum in 17 priority circles.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
