Vodafone Idea is likely to select Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei for supplying its radio network shortly. Vodafone Idea is not considering ZTE for the big telecom network deal, Economic Times reported.
Nokia is expected to bag radio network deal for 11 telecom circles. Ericsson may sign radio contract for 7 circles. Huawei will be getting radio deal for 4-5 circles.
At present, Nokia is supplying radio network for 10 telecom circles of Vodafone India and 5 circles of Idea Cellular. Ericsson is handling 5 circles of Vodafone and 8 circles of Idea Cellular. Huawei is supplying radio networks for 3 circles of Vodafone and 4 circles of Idea Cellular.
The report indicates that Nokia will be the main beneficiary of the radio network deal with Vodafone Idea because of the number of circles it will be supplying. The report did not mention about the contract size.
India’s largest telecom operator based on mobile phone subscriber base is planning to select one telecom equipment vendor per circle. Consultancy firm EY is advising Vodafone Idea on the procurement of telecom equipment.
Vodafone Idea network
This will be the first major network deal under Balesh Sharma, the first CEO of Vodafone Idea. At present, Vodafone Idea has a subscriber base of over 408 million.
Vodafone Idea has a revenue market share of 32.2 percent, and a #1 position in 9 telecom circles.
Vodafone Idea has 340,000 plus broadband sites on 3G and 4G platforms covering over 840 million Indians.
Vodafone Idea has the largest voice network with 200,000 plus unique GSM sites to cover over 1.2 billion Indians reaching 92 percent population coverage. Vodafone Idea has 235,000 kms of fibre.
Vodafone Idea has 1.7 million plus retailers and 15,000 branded stores to service customers.
Vodafone Idea earlier said the merger between the second and third largest telecom operators is expected to generate INR 140 billion annual synergy, including Opex synergies of INR 84 billion, equivalent to a net present value of approximately INR 700 billion.
