Vi working toward rolling out 5G, consummation of fund raising awaited

In its annual report FY23, the telco has assured, “Voda Idea has been deploying several 5G ready technologies such as Massive MIMO, DSR, Cloudification of Core, which are central to its future growth strategy. Your Company is working towards rolling out 5G for consumers, the roll-out of which will be accelerated subsequent to the consummation of fund raising. In the meantime, your Company has made select 5G clusters in Delhi and Pune where it had partnered with various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to test compatibility of available 5G handsets. Your Company has completed device testing of all major OEMs on its 5G network. Further, your Company is in discussion with various network vendors for finalisation of the 5G rollout plan.

Your Company has the advantage of having latest 4G equipment and technologies which are capable of upgrade to 5G. Your Company has already deployed and using an array of 5G technologies such as Massive MIMO, DSR, Open RAN, Cloudification of core etc. Your Company is working towards rolling out 5G for consumers and will be ready to take off with 5G once funding is in place. In the meantime, your Company has live 5G clusters in Delhi and Pune where it has partnered with various OEMs to test compatibility of available 5G handsets. Further, your Company is in advanced stages of discussion with various network vendors for finalisation of the 5G rollout strategy.

Outlook
Your Company will continue its journey of becoming a truly integrated digital service provider through its several strategic initiatives as well as continue to make investments for expanding 4G coverage and capacity especially in its 17 priority circles and introduce 5G services once funding is in place. Your Company will continue to focus on improving ARPU by driving the penetration of Unlimited (UL) pricing plans as well as digitalization of customer servicing and distribution channels with an aim to provide the best of customer experience to retail and enterprise customers. Your Company expanded its digital offering during the years and will look to scale up such offerings with the intent of monetization. In Business Services, your Company will increasingly focus on new and fast growing segments such as Cloud services and IoT. To further drive the digital agenda, your Company will look for deeper integration opportunities with its partners using its platform capabilities to provide a differentiated telco++ experience and value for partners as well as customers.

During the year, promoter group invested further ` 4.4 Bn in your Company taking the total fund infusion to ` 49.4 Bn between Mar’22 and Jun’22. In February 2023 your Company has issued equity shares to the Government consequent to conversion of the interest related to deferment of AGR and spectrum dues. Further, ATC has subscribed to Optionally Convertible Debentures amounting to ` 16 Bn clearly reflecting the relationship that the Company shares with its key vendors, their belief in long term prospect of the Company and builds confidence towards further capital raise. Your Company remains engaged with lenders and investors for further fund raising. All these initiatives coupled with the support provided by the Government reforms package will enable your Company to make network investments and compete effectively to improve its competitive position.”

For report, https://www.communicationstoday.co.in/vi-working-toward-rolling-out-5g-consummation-of-fund-raising-awaited/

CT Bureau