Big things are happening in the world of Indian telecom, with Vodafone Idea (Vi) gearing up to launch its 5G services within the next 6-7 months. This move is expected to shake up the competition among telecom providers in the country. While Vi is joining the 5G party a bit later than its rivals, such as Jio and Airtel, it seems the wait will be worthwhile.
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During Vi’s third-quarter earnings call, Chief Executive Akshaya Moondra confirmed the company’s commitment to rolling out 5G, stating, “We are looking to launch 5G services in about 6-to-7 months.” However, the detailed plans are pending finalization, depending on ongoing fundraising efforts and discussions with technology partners.
It’s worth noting that Vi’s competitors, Jio and Airtel, are already ahead in the 5G race. Jio has successfully completed its nationwide 5G rollout, while Airtel aims to achieve the same by March 2024.
Vi has been strategically streamlining its services, including the shutdown of 3G services in key regions like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai, and Kolkata in Q3 2023. The company plans to phase out 3G services in other areas, with a complete switch-off of its 3G network by the fiscal year 2025.
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On the horizon of 5G monetization, Moondra highlighted the substantial investments made by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in 5G infrastructure. He noted, “While significant investments have already been made in 5G, there is no monetization happening yet, though it should be around the corner.” This suggests that both Airtel and Reliance Jio might be gearing up to announce 5G plan prices, indicating that 5G services may not be offered for free in the near future. However, no official confirmation has been made by either company. Vi’s executive has hinted that such announcements should be imminent. Moondra also shared that Vi will disclose its 5G plan prices at the time of the official launch. Stay tuned for more details as this exciting chapter in Indian telecom unfolds.