Vodafone Idea Signs Rs 30,000 Cr Deal With Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung for 4G and 5G Network Equipment

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has signed a significant deal worth ₹30,000 crore (approximately $3.6 billion) with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung for network equipment.

This investment is part of Vi's larger ₹55,000 crore capital expenditure plan over the next three years, aimed at expanding 4G coverage and launching 5G in key markets.

The deal will help Vi increase its 4G population coverage from 1.03 billion to 1.2 billion and enhance its network capacity to support data growth. This move is expected to improve customer experience and support the company's growth in the competitive telecom market.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has ambitious plans for 5G. The Telco aim to launch 5G services in key markets across India as part of their broader network expansion strategy.

Vi has participated in spectrum auctions to acquire the necessary bandwidth for 5G services. They are focusing on acquiring spectrum in the mid-band and high-band frequencies, which are crucial for 5G deployment.

Recently, the Supreme Court of India rejected Vodafone Idea’s plea to reassess its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. This decision means that Vodafone Idea must pay nearly ₹70,000 crore in AGR dues. The court’s ruling has significant financial implications for the company, which is already struggling with high debt levels.

Following the decision, Vodafone Idea’s shares dropped by about 15%. The company has scheduled an urgent investor meeting to discuss the impact of this ruling and its future plans.

This ruling reinforces the obligation of telecom companies to pay their AGR dues as calculated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), without any reassessment.
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