Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) reported a 4.9% year-over-year increase in revenue to Rs. 110.2 billion for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, according to the company's recent earnings call. The telecom operator also saw improvements in key financial and operational metrics, signaling progress in its turnaround efforts.

Financial Highlights

• Cash EBITDA grew by 3.7% year-over-year to Rs. 21.8 billion
• Reported EBITDA reached Rs. 46.1 billion
• Capex for the quarter stood at Rs. 24.4 billion

Operational Improvements

• Subscriber loss significantly reduced to 0.5 million during the quarter, a 90% improvement from previous quarters
• 4G subscriber base increased by 1 million to reach 127.4 million
• Consumer ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) increased by 14.9% to Rs. 177
• 4G population coverage expanded to 84%, up from 77% in March 2024

5G Rollout and Network Expansion

• 5G services launched in 22 cities across 13 circles
• Plans to expand 5G coverage to all 17 priority circles by September 2025
• Added over 4,800 new unique 4G towers during the quarter
• Total broadband site count stood at ~516,200 as of June 2025

Strategic Initiatives

• Announced collaboration with AST SpaceMobile for satellite-based mobile broadband
• Secured a 10-year contract with Genus Power Infrastructure for 5 million smart meters
• Launched Vi Business CCaaS, an AI-powered cloud-based contact center service
• Introduced 'Vi Finance' on the Vi App, offering personal loans, fixed deposits, and credit cards

Funding and Future Outlook

• Actively engaged with lenders for tying up debt funding for long-term network expansion
• Looking at non-banking sources of funding to maintain continuity of capex
• Seeking clarity on AGR dues from the government to facilitate bank funding

Akshaya Moondra, outgoing CEO of Vodafone Idea, commented on the results: "Our investments have led to improved coverage and enhanced customer experience, resulting in best subscriber metrics since merger. With all these developments, we are confident of continuing improvement in subscriber metrics, which has been demonstrated for the last two quarters."

The company remains focused on driving revenue growth through subscriber addition and effortless customer experience with intense market execution. As Vodafone Idea continues its turnaround journey, the management expressed confidence in the company's ability to leverage its investments and strategic initiatives for future growth.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) and IBM have announced a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at transforming telecom operations through artificial intelligence (AI) and a unified DevOps execution model. This strategic partnership is set to streamline operations, enhance service reliability, and significantly improve customer experience for Vi.

AI Innovation Hub: A Catalyst for Transformation

At the heart of this collaboration is the establishment of an AI Innovation Hub. This hub will bring together experts from both Vi and IBM to co-create cutting-edge AI solutions, develop automation tools, and design digital accelerators powered by IBM's advanced AI capabilities. The initiative represents a significant leap forward in the application of AI within the telecom sector.

Unified DevOps Approach

The partnership goes beyond just creating AI solutions. A key aspect of this collaboration is the integration of AI into Vi's development and operations functions through a unified DevOps team. This approach is expected to foster faster software development cycles and more efficient operational processes.

Leadership Perspectives

Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer at Vi, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating that the AI Innovation Hub will play a crucial role in modernizing operations. He emphasized that this collaboration will expedite go-to-market execution through accelerated software development cycles.

Rishi Aurora, Managing Partner at IBM, highlighted that this partnership builds upon a 17-year association between the two companies. Aurora noted that this collaboration marks a significant step in transforming telecom operations through the power of AI and automation.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

The collaboration between Vi and IBM is poised to deliver several key benefits:

1. Faster Time-to-Market: By leveraging AI and unified DevOps, Vi aims to accelerate its product and service deployment processes.
2. Unlocking Growth Opportunities: The partnership is expected to open up new avenues for growth and innovation in the telecom sector.
3. Enhanced IT Resilience: The initiative aims to establish a more robust IT ecosystem, capable of adapting to changing market demands.
4. Improved Customer-Centric Service: With AI-driven operations, Vi is set to enhance its customer service delivery, focusing on a more personalized and efficient experience.

This collaboration between Vi and IBM represents a significant step forward in the telecom industry's adoption of AI and advanced operational models. As the partnership unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these innovations translate into tangible benefits for Vi's customers and the broader telecom landscape.