Vodafone Idea inks $3.6 billion deal with Nokia, Ericssonand Samsung to boost network infrastructure

Vodafone Idea (VIL) has finalized a landmark $3.6 billion (~Rs. 300 billion) deal with network giants Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung, marking the largest capital investment in the company’s history. This three-year partnership is part of VIL’s $6.6 billion capex plan to expand 4G coverage from 1.03 billion to 1.2 billion people and introduce 5G in key markets.

CEO Akshaya Moondra emphasized VIL’s focus on emerging technologies, stating, “This investment begins our journey toward a smart turnaround as we prepare to seize industry growth opportunities.”

With this deal, VIL will deploy state-of-the-art equipment to enhance customer experience and reduce operating costs through energy-efficient systems. Initial rollouts have already improved network capacity by 15%.In Shillong, this network upgrade is poised to significantly enhance connectivity, providing faster 4G services and paving the way for 5G. This move will boost the local economy and meet the growing demand for data services among consumers and businesses.