| Q2 FY26 Earnings Conference Call
Summary : Vodafone Idea is expanding 4G/5G networks and digital services, showing operational improvements, but faces significant challenges in securing long-term debt funding and resolving AGR dues.
Management Perspective positive : The CEO expressed delight in welcoming new CFO, outlined a positive philosophy, and highlighted significant network expansion and digital service growth. Management consistently emphasized improving subscriber engagement and future growth potential despite challenges.
Concall Report Analysis & Insights
Business Overview
- Vodafone Idea is expanding 4G and 5G network coverage across India.
- The company is enhancing its digital ecosystem with new app-based services like Vi Finance.
- Vi Business is growing, offering enterprise solutions in IoT, cloud, and cybersecurity.
- Strategic partnerships are being leveraged to drive digital revenue streams.
- Q2 FY'26 revenue grew 2.4% YoY to Rs. 111.9 billion, with EBITDA at Rs. 46.9 billion.
Future Growth Prospects
- Expanding 4G population coverage to 90% in the coming quarters.
- Driving significant growth in IoT, aiming for 12 million smart metering solutions.
- Developing 'Dedicated Enterprise Corridor' to support exponential data traffic growth.
- Scaling Vi App and Vi Movies & TV OTT with more content and features.
- Exploring new avenues for debt funding to execute long-term network expansion.
Management Insights
- Our philosophy is 'Employee First, Customer Always and Experience is Everything'.
- We are focused on continued operational excellence and long-term value creation.
- The Supreme Court's AGR judgment allows the government to reconsider additional demands.
- We are engaged with lenders to secure long-term debt financing for network expansion.
- Our investment in network and product propositions is improving subscriber engagement.
Signs of Skepticism
- Management did not provide a finite timeline for achieving 90% 4G coverage.
- Specific 5G subscriber counts are not disclosed, only combined 4G/5G figures.
- Reliance on external funding for capex plans is a recurring theme without a clear resolution timeline.
- The resolution of AGR dues is dependent on government decisions, lacking a firm timeline.
- Management avoided commenting on media reports regarding alternative domestic vendors or ICR with BSNL.
Risk Factors
- Securing long-term debt financing for capex plans of Rs. 500-550 billion remains a challenge.
- Resolution of additional AGR demand and reconciliation of dues is pending government decision.
- Subscriber churn, though seasonally impacted, remains a concern for overall growth.
- Lower data usage per customer compared to peers indicates capacity and engagement gaps.
- Intense competitive market requires continuous innovation and network investment.
Good To Know
- New CEO, Abhijit Kishore, joined on August 19; new CFO, Tejas Mehta, joined from Mondelēz.
- Hon'ble Supreme Court permitted government to reconsider additional AGR demand up to FY 2016-17.
- Vi Business received 'Customer Experience of the Year – Telecommunications' award at Asia Experience Awards 2025.
- Vi Business partnered with Google to offer exclusive Workspace offers for MSMEs.
- Vi Finance launched, enabling app-based access to personal loans, fixed deposits, and credit cards.
Key Drivers
- AGR dues resolution provides clarity.
- Expanded 4G/5G network drives growth.
- Digital services monetization increases revenue.
- Improved customer engagement reduces churn.
Key Analyst Discussions
Competitive Environment
- Peers have higher data running on 5G networks, providing a capacity advantage.
- Vi's product propositions are parallel to other players in the market.
- Vi remains the only operator offering truly unlimited data and calls in 40+ countries for international roaming.
Market Trends & Consumer Behavior
- Overall wireless tele-density is over 83%, with internet subscribers nearing 1 billion.
- Data traffic grew 21.4% YoY; 4G/5G subscriber data usage increased 20.3%.
- Consumer ARPU increased 8.7% YoY to Rs. 180.
- 4G and 5G subscribers reached 127.8 million, adding 0.4 million in 12 months.
- Data usage per customer increased to 18.5 GB/day, reflecting improved engagement.
Financial Highlights
- Q2 FY'26 revenue was Rs. 111.9 billion, up 2.4% YoY and 1.6% QoQ.
- Reported EBITDA was Rs. 46.9 billion, improving 3% YoY; cash EBITDA declined 3.4% YoY to Rs. 22.5 billion.
- Capex for Q2 was Rs. 17.5 billion; H1 FY'26 capex was Rs. 42 billion.
- Debt from banks reduced by Rs. 17.2 billion YoY to Rs. 15.3 billion as of September 30, 2025.
- Total AGR debt outstanding is approximately Rs. 79,000 crores as of September 2025.
Product Composition
- Flagship 'Non-Stop Hero Plan' offers unlimited 24/7 data, driving acquisitions.
- Vi Guarantee Program provides 2-day extra validity on unlimited voice recharges.
- REDX Family Plan offers unlimited 4G/5G data and international roaming.
- Vi Movies & TV OTT App provides access to 20+ OTTs with bundled data benefits.
- Vi Finance offers personal loans, fixed deposits, and credit cards via the Vi App.
Strategic Considerations
- 5G services launched in Mumbai in March '25, now in 29 cities across 17 circles.
- 4G population coverage increased to over 84% from 77% in March '24.
- Company is pursuing NSA architecture for 5G, with capability to migrate to SA.
- Capex prioritization is a mix of coverage and capacity, leaning towards coverage.
- Discussions with DoT are ongoing regarding AGR dues, hoping for a long-term solution.