Q1 2027 Vodafone Idea Ltd Earnings Call

August 11, 2026

Speaker #1: Ladies and gentlemen, good day and welcome to the Q1 FY27 Results Conference Call hosted by Vodafone Idea. As a reminder, all participant lines will be in listen-only mode, and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions after the presentation concludes.

Speaker #1: Should you need assistance during this conference, please signal an operator by pressing star, then zero, on your touch-tone phone. Please note that this conference is being recorded.

Speaker #1: I now hand the conference over to Mr. Abhijit Kishore from Vodafone Idea. Thank you, and over to you, Mr. Kishore.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Darwin. Good afternoon, and a very warm welcome to all of you. Thank you for making the time to be here today. On August 10, 2026, our Board of Directors adopted the unaudited results for the quarter ending June 30, 2026.

Abhijit Kishore: Thank you, Dorwin. Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to all of you. Thank you for making the time to be here today. On 10 August 2026, our board of directors adopted the unaudited results for the quarter ending 30 June 2026. All the results related documents are available on our website. I hope you have a chance to go through the same. Our robust Q1 FY27 operating and financial performance has been an endorsement of our well-defined strategy, superior execution. Let me share our progress on the key strategic initiatives, after which I will hand over to Tejas, who will share the details on the company's financial performance. I would like to begin by updating you on seven critical business parameters that we had mentioned in the last earning call as well.

Speaker #2: All the results-related documents are available on our website. I hope you have a chance to go through the same. Our robust Vodafone FY27 operating and financial performance has been an endorsement of our well-defined strategy and clear execution.

Speaker #2: Let me share our progress on the key strategic initiatives, after which I'll hand over to Tejas, who will share the details on the company's financial performance.

Speaker #2: I would like to begin by updating you on seven critical business parameters that we had mentioned in the last earnings call as well. I'm happy to share that all seven of these critical business parameters are now trending positively.

Abhijit Kishore: I am happy to share that all seven of these critical business parameters are now trending positively. Our revenue improved 6% year-on-year to INR 11,689 crores, while cash EBITDA demonstrated double-digit growth of 13.5%, stood at INR 2,475 crores. We also increased our subscriber base to 193.1 million customers vis-à-vis last quarter. Net subscriber addition, which turned the corner February last quarter, has continued its trajectory. We delivered our first quarter of positive net subscriber addition since merger. We will continue this momentum. Our churn reduced by 24 basis points year-on-year this quarter. We remain focused to reduce our churn with a sustained network investment as well as get a competitive share of quality growth additions as we expand our coverage and enter new geographies.

Speaker #2: Our revenue improved 6% year-on-year to ₹11,689 crore, while cash EBITDA demonstrated double-digit growth of 13.5% and stood at ₹2,475 crore. We also increased our subscriber base to 193.1 million subscribers vis-à-vis last quarter.

Speaker #2: Net subscriber addition, which turned a corner in February last quarter, has continued its trajectory. We delivered our first quarter of positive net subscriber addition since the merger. We will continue this momentum.

Speaker #2: Our churn reduced by 24 basis points year-on-year this quarter. We remain focused on reducing our churn with sustained network investment, as well as gaining a competitive share of quality gross additions as we expand our coverage and enter new geographies.

Speaker #2: We also added nearly 3,000 new unique broadband towers during the quarter, and over 15,600 new sites over the last 12 months, expanding our Pan-India 4G coverage to 87%.

Abhijit Kishore: We also added nearly 3,000 new unique broadband towers during the quarter and over 15,600 new sites over the last 12 months, expanding our pan-India 4G coverage 87%. On 5G, we have made substantial strides by expanding our footprint significantly. I am pleased to share that our 5G services are now live in over 200 cities across all our 17 circles where we have 5G spectrum. Our disciplined execution and commitment to deliver superior network experience has yielded robust progress despite prevailing geopolitical headwinds impairing the CapEx deployment Q1 FY27. Our customer ARPU grew from INR 177 Q1 FY26 to INR 195 in Q1 FY27, a growth of 10.2% year-on-year, highest in the industry, and a sequential improvement of 2.6%. The customer ARPU has now been increasing for 20 consecutive quarters.

Speaker #2: On 5G, we have made substantial strides by expanding our footprint significantly. I'm pleased to share that our 5G services are now live in over 200 cities across all our 17 circles where we have 5G spectrum.

Speaker #2: Our disciplined execution and commitment to delivering a clear network experience has yielded robust progress, despite prevailing geopolitical headwinds impairing the capex deployment of Vodafone in FY27.

Speaker #2: Our customer ARPU grew from Rs 177 in Vodafone FY26 to Rs 195 in Vodafone FY27, a growth of 10.2% year on year—the highest in the industry—with a sequential improvement of 2.6%.

Speaker #2: The customer ARPU has now been increasing for 7 consecutive quarters. Customer ARPU expansion over the last year has been driven primarily by premiumization, which is evident from our improving 4G/5G subscriber mix that stood at 67.4% in Q1 FY27, up from 64.4% in Q1 FY26, as well as higher data usage per broadband subscriber.

Abhijit Kishore: Customer ARPU expansion over the last year has been driven primarily by premiumization, which is evident from our improving 4G, 5G subscriber mix, which stood at 67.4% in Q1 FY27, up from 64.4% in Q1 FY26, as well as higher data usage by per broadband subscriber. We closed this quarter with 130.1 million 4G, 5G subscribers, up from 127.4 million Q1 FY26. Our focused execution has also translated to better customer engagement, as reflected in data usage. The average data usage by 4G, 5G subscribers improved 25.2% year-on-year to 21.7 GB in Q1 FY27. Overall, as a result, our data usage in Q1 FY27 increased year-on-year by nearly 28% to 88.4 petabytes per day from 69.1 petabytes per day Q1 FY26.

Speaker #2: We closed this quarter with 130.1 million 4G/5G subscribers, up from 127.4 million in Q1 FY26. Our focused execution has also translated to better customer engagement, as reflected in data usage.

Speaker #2: The average data usage by a 4G/5G subscriber improved 25.2% year-on-year to 21.7 GB in Q1 FY27. Overall, as a result, our data usage in Q1 FY27 has increased year-on-year by nearly 28% to 88.4 petabytes per day, from 69.1 petabytes per day in Q1 FY26.

Speaker #2: These crucial business parameters have clearly reflected that the customers are getting a better network experience since we have made sustained investments and continue to remain engaged.

Abhijit Kishore: These crucial business parameters clearly reflect that the customers are getting a better network experience since we have made sustained investments and continue to remain engaged.

Speaker #1: Sorry to interrupt, sir. This is the operator. Sir, the line is getting slightly unclear for you. May I try reconnecting you, sir? Sure. Thank you.

Operator: Sorry to interrupt, sir. This is the operator. Sir, the line is getting slightly unclear for you. May I try reconnecting you, sir?

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah.

Operator: Sure. Thank you. Give me one moment, please. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we are now reconnected with the management. Over to you, sir.

Speaker #1: Give me one moment, please. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we have now reconnected with the management. Over to you, sir.

Speaker #2: Okay, so just to kind of cover that, we've just spoken on all the seven critical parameters, which are all moving in the right direction.

Abhijit Kishore: Okay. Just to kind of cover that, we've just spoken on all the seven critical parameters, which is all moving in the right directions. Moving on to the funding and its mobilization through CapEx. On the funding front, we have two important updates. First, on the warrants, we have received INR 1,183 crores as part proceeds from the issue of warrants to our promoters, Aditya Birla Group. Second, I am delighted to share that we were assigned CRISIL A minus stable rating by CRISIL in May 2026, followed by a credit rating upgrade to ICRA A minus stable by ICRA in June 2026. The ratings were assigned and upgraded by CRISIL and ICRA, respectively, for certain long-term bank facilities considering the positive developments over the last few months.

Speaker #2: Moving on to the funding and its mobilization through capex. On the funding front, we have two important updates. First, on the warrants, we have received ₹1,183 crore as part proceeds from the issue of warrants to our promoters, Aditya Birla Group.

Speaker #2: Second, I'm delighted to share that we were assigned a CRISIL A minus, stable rating by CRISIL in May 2026, followed by a credit rating upgrade to ICRA A minus, stable by ICRA in June 2026.

Speaker #2: The ratings were assigned and upgraded by CRISIL and ICRA, respectively, for certain long-term bank facilities, considering the positive developments over the last few months.

Speaker #2: I also want to update you on the broader financial architecture that supports our capex plan of ₹45,000 crore over the next three years.

Abhijit Kishore: I also want to update you on the broader financial architecture that supports our CapEx plan of INR 45,000 crores over the next three years. This architecture is built on three cohorts. First is a consortium of public sector banks led by SBI with six to seven participating banks. Second cohort is of the Indian private banks, and the third one is of the ECB with foreign banks. We remain meaningfully engaged with our lenders across these three cohorts and have made substantial progress with them. I am happy to share that we have successfully raised our first tranche of funding, INR 6,400 crores, including partial proceeds of INR 1,183 crores from warrants and debt proceeds, including non-funded base facilities through ECB and Indian private banks. We already placed orders worth INR 9,000 crores CapEx till now, which also includes the CapEx undertaken in Q1 FY27 of INR 1,930 crores.

Speaker #2: This architecture is built on three cohorts. The first is a consortium of public sector banks led by SBI, with six to seven participating banks. The second cohort is of the Indian private banks, and the third one is of the ECB with foreign banks.

Speaker #2: We remain meaningfully engaged with our lenders across these three cohorts and have made substantial progress with them. I'm happy to share that we have successfully raised our first tranche of funding rupees 6,400 crores including partial proceeds of rupees 1183 crores from warrants and debt proceeds including non-funded base facilities through ECB and Indian private banks.

Speaker #2: We have already placed orders worth Rs 9,000 crore of capex till now, which also includes the capex undertaken in Q1 FY27 of Rs 1,930 crore.

Speaker #2: The supplies and execution of these orders have already commenced and will continue. We are now focused on accelerating network expansion with these fresh orders. Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, and other partners will be executed as we move forward.

Abhijit Kishore: The supplies and execution based on these orders have already commenced and will continue. We are now focused on accelerating network expansion, these fresh orders with Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, and other partners, which will be executed as we move forward. We are hopeful of closing the discussion with the PSU banks led by SBI, as well as continue work on other debt raise streets. Next, our differentiated product offerings and market initiatives. Our focus is on enriching customers' digital lifestyle with experiences that extend well beyond just voice and data. Towards this, we partnered with Spotify to offer our postpaid Vi Max subscribers a premium music streaming experience. For prepaid subscribers, we launched Vi Edu+, a co-branded Nonstop Hero prop in partnership with Physics Wallah across Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, combining unlimited connectivity with digital learning benefits for students.

Speaker #2: We are hopeful of closing the discussion with the PSU banks led by SBI, as well as continuing work on other debt-raising streams. Next are differentiated product offerings and market initiatives.

Speaker #2: Our focus is on enriching customers' digital lifestyle with experiences that extend well beyond just voice and data. Towards this, we partnered with Spotify to offer our postpaid VMAX subscribers a premium music streaming experience.

Speaker #2: For prepaid subscribers, we launched VEDU Plus, a co-branded, nonstop hero proposition in partnership with Physicswala across Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, combining unlimited connectivity with digital learning benefits for students.

Speaker #2: We also launched eInstaData nationally, an emergency data service giving eligible prepaid users 1 GB of extra data instantly when their daily data limit drops below 10 MB.

Abhijit Kishore: We also launched Vi InstaData nationally, an emergency data service giving eligible prepaid users 1 GB of extra data instantly if their daily data limit drops below 10 MB, with two days of validity adjusted from their active pack. We further strengthened the international roaming portfolio with the launch of Choose Your Own Plan, which offers subscribers greater flexibility through a wider range of validity, enabling them to choose a plan best suited to their travel requirements. Our truly unlimited roaming plans are now available across 59 countries. We also partnered with Meta to enable silent mobile verification across Meta platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, enabling safer, seamless, and password-less digital experience for millions of users. We are creating seamless authentication experience for users across some of the country's most widely used digital platforms. Our proactive identification mitigation solution, SPARC, was built for strengthening Vodafone Idea cyber resilience.

Speaker #2: It's two days of validity adjusted from their active package. We further strengthened the international roaming portfolio with the launch of 2.0 own plan, which offers subscribers greater flexibility with a wider range of validity, enabling them to choose plans best suited to their travel requirements.

Speaker #2: Our truly unlimited roaming plan is now available across 59 countries. We also partnered with Meta to enable silent mobile verification across Meta platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, enabling a safer, seamless, and passwordless digital experience for millions of users.

Speaker #2: We are creating a seamless authentication experience for users across some of the countries' most widely used digital platforms. Our proactive identification mitigation solutions path was built for strengthening Vodafone Idea's cyber resilience.

Speaker #2: We are now upgrading it to AI-led early detection. These advancements strengthen our innovation by ensuring we stay ahead of emerging threats. Our recent brand campaign, Everyone is Priority, re-emphasized our larger belief that every customer deserves an equal network experience, further strengthening the brand's differentiated positioning.

Abhijit Kishore: We are now upgrading it to AI-led early detection. These advancements strengthen our innovation by ensuring we stay ahead of emerging threats. Our recent brand campaign, Everyone Is Priority, re-emphasized a larger belief that every customer deserves an equal network experience, further strengthening the brand's differentiated positions. Moving on to our enterprise business, Vi Business continued to strengthen its position as a trusted enterprise partner through a comprehensive portfolio of future-ready digital solutions backed by a robust 5G infrastructure and a growing ecosystem of strategic technology partnerships. During the quarter, demand for Vi Business solutions remained strong across connectivity, cloud, IoT, business communication, mobility, and cybersecurity, driving increased enterprise adoption across key sectors, including BFSI, manufacturing, utilities, logistics, and government. We also unveiled MSME ReadyForNext 5.0 on World MSME Day 2026, the latest edition of India's largest digital advisory platform for MSME.

Speaker #2: Moving on to our enterprise business, we continue to strengthen our position as a trusted enterprise partner through a comprehensive portfolio of future-ready digital solutions.

Speaker #2: Backed by global 5G infrastructure and a growing ecosystem of strategic technology partnerships, during the quarter demand for our business solutions remains strong across connectivity, cloud, IoT, business communication, mobility, and cybersecurity.

Speaker #2: Driving increased enterprise adoption across key sectors, including VFSI, manufacturing, utilities, logistics, and governments. We also unveiled MSME Ready for Next 5.0 on World MSME Day 2026.

Speaker #2: The latest edition of India's largest digital advisory platform for MSMEs, We Business, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh MSME Development Corporation to digitally empower over 1,000 SMEs in the state.

Abhijit Kishore: Vi Business signed a memorandum understanding with Andhra Pradesh MSME Development Corporation to digitally empower over one lakh SME in the state. We believe the telecom industry is well positioned for growth, as need for connectivity is driven by fast-growing economy, a growing and younger population driving technology adoption across all age groups, and lower rural density. Our improving trend with recent positive development gives us increasing confidence in our ability to participate in the industry's growth story. With that, I will hand over the call to Tejas, our CFO, for the financial commentary. Thank you.

Speaker #2: We believe the telecom industry is well positioned for growth, as the need for connectivity is driven by a fast-growing economy, a growing and younger population with rising technology adoption across all age groups, and lower rural residency.

Speaker #2: Our improving trends and the recent positive developments give us increasing confidence in our ability to participate in the industry's growth story. With that, I'll hand over the call to Tejas, our CFO, for the financial commentary.

Speaker #2: Thank you.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Abhijit. Good afternoon, everyone. We continue to witness improving trends across key financial and operating metrics. Last quarter, I highlighted that the average daily revenue was the highest in the last six years.

Tejas Mehta: Thank you, Abhijit, and good afternoon, everyone. We continue to witness improving trends across key financial and operating metrics. Last quarter, I highlighted that the average daily revenue was the highest in the last six years. We have now sustained that momentum with another quarter of revenue growth. The revenue for the quarter was INR 11,689 crore, registering year-over-year growth of 6% and a 3.2% improvement on a sequential basis, driven by ARPU expansion. The EBITDA for the quarter crossed INR 5,000 crore mark and reached INR 5,034 crore, improving by 9.1% year-over-year. The EBITDA margin improved by over 120 basis points from 41.8% to 43.1% in the same period. The cash EBITDA for the quarter improved by 13.5% to INR 2,475 crore versus the same quarter last year. The cash EBITDA improved despite the rollout of over 15,600 broadband sites during the last 12 months, reflecting our focus on overall cost management.

Speaker #3: We have now sustained that momentum with another quarter of revenue growth. The revenue for the quarter was ₹11,689 crore, registering a year-on-year growth of 6% and a 3.2% improvement on a sequential basis, driven by ARPU expansion.

Speaker #3: The EBITDA for the quarter crossed the ₹5,000 crore mark and reached ₹5,034 crore, improving by 9.1% year on year. The EBITDA margin improved by over 120 basis points, from 41.8% to 43.1%, during the same period.

Speaker #3: The cash EBITDA for the quarter improved by 13.5% to ₹2,475 crore versus the same quarter last year. The cash EBITDA improved despite the rollout of over 15,600 broadband sites during the last 12 months, reflecting our focus on overall cost management.

Tejas Mehta: The cash EBITDA improved despite the rollout of over 15,600 broadband sites during the last 12 months, reflecting our focus on overall cost management.

Speaker #3: Depreciation and amortization expenses and the net finance cost for the quarter were ₹5,467 crores and ₹4,925 crores, respectively. Excluding the impact of Ind AS 116, the depreciation and amortization expense and the net finance cost for the quarter were ₹3,862 crores and ₹3,701 crores, respectively.

Tejas Mehta: Depreciation and amortization expenses and the net finance cost for the quarter, INR 5,467 crore and INR 4,925 crore respectively. Excluding the impact of Ind AS 116, the depreciation and the amortization expense and the net finance cost for the quarter were INR 3,862 crore and INR 3,701 crore respectively.

Speaker #3: Additionally, we also recorded a benefit of ₹1,816 crore in the exceptional items, on account of the fair value adjustment of the Yearmark shares from GLAM.

Tejas Mehta: Additionally, we also recorded a benefit of INR 1,816 crores in the exceptional item on account of the fair value adjustment of the earmarked shares from GLAM. This remeasurement of fair value will be undertaken every quarter, and its impact adjusted in exceptional item till the shares are liquidated. Due to the supply side issues arising from the geopolitical constraints, the CapEx investment for the quarter was INR 1,930 crores. As Abhijit has guided, we intend to accelerate our network expansion, towards which we have already placed orders with our partners. Our bank debt has reduced to only INR 211 crores as of 30 June, from INR 1,926 crores as of June of the prior year, a reduction of INR 1,715 crores in the last 12 months. The free cash and bank balance as of 30 June stands at INR 6,558 crores.

Speaker #3: This remeasurement of fair value will be undertaken every quarter and its impact adjusted in exceptional items till the shares are liquidated. Due to the supply side issues arising from the geopolitical constraints, the capex investment for the quarter was ₹1,930 crore, and as Abhijit has guided, we intend to accelerate our network expansion towards which we have already placed orders with our partners.

Speaker #3: Our bank debt has reduced to only ₹211 crores as of June 30th from ₹1,926 crores as of June of the prior year, a reduction of ₹1,715 crores in the last 12 months.

Speaker #3: The free cash and bank balance as of June 2020 stands at ₹6,558 crore. Our recent credit ratings and the continued promoter support have been a significant catalyst for ongoing debt compensation, which further strengthens our conviction in the execution roadmap laid by us.

Tejas Mehta: Our recent credit ratings and the continued promoter support have been a significant catalyst for ongoing debt conversation, which further strengthens our conviction in the execution roadmap laid by us. I would like to hand over by reiterating that this quarter's results reflect our growth momentum, translating into improving operational and financial performance, and the highlight being net customer addition for the first time since the merger. With that, I hand the call back over to Dhawal. Thank you.

Speaker #3: I would like to hand over my read, reiterating that this quarter's results reflect our growth momentum, translating into improving operational and financial performance, with the highlight being net customer addition for the first time since the merger.

Speaker #3: With that, I hand the call back over to Dorwin. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you very much. We will now begin the question and answer session. Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star and one on their touch-tone telephone.

Operator: Thank you very much. We will now begin the question and answer session. Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star and one on their touchtone telephone. If you wish to withdraw yourself from the question queue, you may press star and two. Participants are requested to please use handsets while asking a question. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now wait for a moment while the question queue assembles. Our first question comes from the line of Sanjesh Jain with ICICI Securities. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: If you wish to withdraw yourself from the question queue, you may press star and two. Participants are requested to please use handsets while asking a question.

Speaker #1: Ladies and gentlemen, we will now wait for a moment while the question queue assembles. Our first question comes from the line of Sanjesh Jen with ICICI Securities.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Yeah, thank you. Thanks for the opportunity. A couple of questions from my side, Abhijit. First, on the subscriber transition and the benefit of the network.

Sanjesh Jain: Thank you. Thanks for the opportunity. A couple of questions from my side, Abhijit. First, on the subscriber transition and the benefit of the network, how should we see from here on, particularly on the mobile customer, how should it translate? What has been the trend in the circles now that we have implemented CapEx in last one year? Have we seen those circles turning positive in terms of mobile subscriber net add?

Speaker #2: How should we see, from here on—particularly on the mobile customer—how should it transition and what has been the trend in the circles now that we have implemented capex in the last one year? Have we seen those circles turning positive in terms of mobile subscriber net adds?

Speaker #4: Yeah. Sanjesh, do you want to—you have more questions? Then I can take all of them, or do you want me to respond right now?

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah. Sanjesh, do you have more questions? Then I can take all of them, or do you want to do one right now?

Speaker #2: No, no. I'll go. So, second, on the ARPU—we have been bridging the ARPU gap versus the peers. How much more do you think is possible before the transition to 4G and 5G really helps push the ARPU growth?

Sanjesh Jain: No, I will go. Second, on the ARPU, we have been bridging the ARPU gap versus the peers. How much more do you think it is possible before the transition of 4G and 5G really helps push the ARPU growth? How much more is it possible by improving the efficiency within the network to take the ARPU to, say, next one year? What are we targeting? That is number two. Number three, on the CapEx, we said that we have put up INR 9,000 crore of CapEx. We have already invested close to INR 2,000 in this quarter. By spending this INR 19,000 crore this year, where do we see our network capacity in terms of expansion from the current level?

Speaker #2: How much more is it possible, by improving the efficiency within the network, to take the ARPU up, say, over the next one year? What are we targeting? That's number two.

Speaker #2: And number three, on the capex, we said that we have put up ₹9,000 crore of capex. We have already invested close to ₹2,000 crore in this quarter. By spending this ₹9,000 crore this year, where do we see our network capacity in terms of expansion from the current level?

Speaker #4: Okay, so thanks, Sanjesh, for asking this question.

Abhijit Kishore: Okay. Thanks, Sanjesh, for asking that question.

Speaker #2: Yeah.

Speaker #4: Okay, so let me take the first one on the subscriber addition. The answer is clearly yes. We look at it in different cohorts across all these 17 markets that we have defined for ourselves.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah.

Sanjesh Jain: Yeah.

Abhijit Kishore: Okay. Let me take the first one on the subscriber addition. The answer is clearly yes. We look at it at different cohorts on all these 17 markets that we have defined for ourselves, and obviously where they are putting the network, in the rural as well as in the urban markets. This clubbed with the 5G, wherever we rolled out, we clearly see a difference on the customer attentivity, which is what I spoke of 0.24% that we see over the last year, which is improving. This is visible across the circles. Obviously, as I say, the journey continues. We have put 15,500 sites in the last one year and 32,000 sites on 4G in the last two years, and we see a significant delta being bridged. But the journey continues, and we still have where we need to put our 4G sites in.

Speaker #4: And obviously, where they are putting the network in the rural as well as in the urban markets. This, clubbed with the 5G wherever we have brought—we rolled out—we clearly see a difference on the customer retentivity, which is what I spoke of: 0.24% that we see over the last year, which is improving.

Speaker #4: This is visible across the circles, obviously. As I said, the journey continues. You know, we have put up 15,500 sites in the last one year and 32,000 sites on 4G in the last two years.

Speaker #4: And we see a significant delta being bridged, but the journey continues, and we still have areas where we need to put our 4G sites. And, you know, as and when we are putting the 4G sites and the 5G sites, we clearly see—so that's one. Second is obviously, you know, as we said, this is the first quarter for us where subscriber addition is positive, largely led between postpaid and M2M. Prepaid is also turning a leaf, and we see a clear and significant improvement in churn quality of the gross acquisitions that we acquire now.

Abhijit Kishore: As and when we are putting the 4G sites and the 5G sites, we clearly see. That is the one. Second is, obviously, as we said, this is the first quarter for us on the subscriber addition to be positive, largely led between postpaid and M2M. Prepaid is also turning leaf, and we see a clear and significant improve in churn, quality of the gross acquisition that we acquire now. It is all pointing in the right direction. As far as the ARPU is concerned, as I said, we have kind of grown by 10%. We expect to keep the same momentum.

Speaker #4: So it's all pointing in the right direction. As far as the ARPU is concerned, you know, as I said, we've kind of grown by 10%. We expect to keep the same momentum. This is obviously organic ARPU growth, which is where we have a differentiated opportunity between the mix of customers—between a 2G and a 4G/5G, as well as unlimited voice and unlimited data customers— and then between the unlimited data and the nonstop hero, which is a differentiated offering for us.

Abhijit Kishore: This is obviously organic ARPU growth, which is where we have a differentiated opportunity between the mix of customers of between a 2G and a 4G, 5G, as well as unlimited voice and unlimited data customers, and then between the unlimited data and the Nonstop Hero, which is a differentiated offering for us. We continue, and we hope to see that we will continue the similar trend, a little better than where we are today on the ARPU of INR 195 at a blended level. On the CapEx-

Speaker #4: So we continue, and we hope to see that, you know, we will continue the similar trend—a little better than where we are today—on the ARPU of ₹1,905 at a blended level.

Speaker #4: On the capex—you know our guidance on the capex continues. We are looking at ₹45,000 crore for the next three years, as we have said.

Abhijit Kishore: Our guidance on the CapEx continues. We are looking at INR 45,000 crore for the next three years, as we have said. The first quarter, because of the supply chain headwinds, we saw a little bit of a booted INR 2,000 odd crore of the CapEx spend. But as I indicated, we have already placed the order for 1,100, which includes the INR 1,930 crore of the CapEx, which has been deployed. We intend to deploy all of these CapEx over the next two quarters, less than two quarters. So the intensity continues. We are looking at deploying roughly around 3,500 sites a month on an average year on.

Speaker #4: In the first quarter, because of the supply chain admins, we saw a little bit of a blip—about ₹2,000 crore of capex spend. But as I indicated, we have already placed the orders for ₹9,100 crore, which includes the ₹1,930 crore of capex which has been deployed.

Speaker #4: We intend to deploy all of this capex over the next two quarters, less than two quarters. So the intensity continues. We are looking at deploying roughly around 3,500 sites a month on average here on.

Speaker #2: 3,500—you said—is that the tower count or the amount?

Sanjesh Jain: 3,500 you said is it tower count or the amount-

Speaker #4: The tower count. Tower count on the 4G.

Abhijit Kishore: The tower count on the 4G.

Speaker #2: Yeah, tower count on the 4G. Thanks. Abhijit, one question on the postpaid. Now that the fast-lane 5G is becoming a reality in India, do you see risk to your postpaid customer?

Sanjesh Jain: Tower count on the 4G.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah.

Sanjesh Jain: Thanks. Abhijit, one question on the postpaid. Now that the Fast Lane 5G is becoming a reality in India, do you see risk to your postpaid customer?

Speaker #4: On the contrary, Sanjesh, I'll say that we have seen an increase in our postpaid acquisition as well as retention. So as we speak, you know, we don't see that as a challenge.

Abhijit Kishore: On the contrary, Sanjesh, I will say that we have seen an increase in our postpaid acquisition as well as retentivity. As we speak, we do not see that as a challenge. However, we continue to provide experience, and we have enough capacity to provide the experience to our customers, not only postpaid but postpaid and prepaid equally.

Speaker #4: However, we continue to provide experience, and we have enough capacity to provide that experience to our customers—not only postpaid, but both postpaid and prepaid equally.

Speaker #2: Got it, got it. Anything on the 5G—how many towers have we done? I know you said 200-plus cities, but if you could give a number in terms of tower coverage, that would be helpful.

Sanjesh Jain: Got it. Anything on the 5G, how many towers we have done? I know you said 200 plus cities.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah.

Sanjesh Jain: But some creative number in terms of tower coverage, that would be helpful.

Speaker #4: Yeah. So we are now as we speak we are over 16,000 sites in 5G and we intend to kind of cover another 200 plus city over the next two quarters.

Abhijit Kishore: Well, as we speak, we are over 16,000 sites in 5G. We intend to cover another 200 plus cities over the next two quarters.

Speaker #2: That's very helpful. Thanks, Abhijit, and best of luck for the coming quarters.

Sanjesh Jain: That's very helpful. Thanks, Abhijit, and best of luck for the coming quarters.

Speaker #4: Thank you, Sanjesh. Thank you.

Abhijit Kishore: Thank you, Sanjesh. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Aditya Suresh with Macquarie. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Aditya Suresh with Macquarie. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Yeah, thank you. So, two items. First, Abhijit, if you can speak to us about your cash EBITDA targets, which you articulated a few months back.

Aditya Suresh: Yeah, thank you. Two items. First, Abhijit, if you can speak to us about your cash EBITDA targets, which you had articulated a few months back. Could you reiterate what the guidance is or what the ambition is over the next three years? If you could break that down for us in terms of, how much of that is going to be the top line versus margin expansion? That is the first item. The second item is a clarification. Could you clarify what is the position of net debt as of this quarter? That is one. Two is, within your subscriber number, how much of these subscribers are in that M2M category? Thank you.

Speaker #3: Could you like reiterate what the guidance is or what the ambition is over the next three years and if you could break that down for us in terms of how much is that is going to be the top line versus margin expansion?

Speaker #3: That's the first item. The second item is a clarification. Could you clarify what is the position of net debt as of this quarter? That's one.

Speaker #3: And two is, within your subscriber number, how many of these subscribers are in that M2M category? Thank you.

Speaker #4: Sorry, Aditya. If you could just repeat the second question—you said, what is the net addition?

Abhijit Kishore: Sorry, Aditya, if you could just repeat the second question. You said what is the net addition?

Speaker #2: One.

Speaker #3: No, no. So, what is your current net debt position?

Aditya Suresh: No, what is your current net debt position?

Speaker #4: Net debt. Okay. Okay.

Abhijit Kishore: Net debt. Okay.

Speaker #3: And also, if you can clarify on your M2M subscribers, thank you.

Aditya Suresh: Also, if you can clarify on your M2M subscribers. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Okay, so I'll take the first one first, and Tejas, you can chime in. So, on the cash EBITDA, you know, we had ₹9,200 crore of cash EBITDA last year. We are at ₹2,575 crore this year.

Abhijit Kishore: Okay. I will take the first one first, and Tejas, you can chime in. So on the cash EBITDA, we had INR 9,200 crore of cash EBITDA last year. We are at INR 2,750 this year. I think our guidance for the next three years was 3x of the cash EBITDA, which is obviously built with certain assumptions on the organic as well as some of the price corrections which will happen. That guidance continues. We are moving in the right direction as far as that is concerned, because that was obviously built over a customer as well as on the ARPU. So that guidance continues, clearly. On the top line, when we had looked at the total cash EBITDA of 3x, we had taken a guidance of a CAGR of around 16.8% for three years, which also continues as we speak.

Speaker #4: I think our guidance for the next three years was 3x of the cash EBITDA, which is obviously built with certain assumptions on the organic, as well as some of the price corrections which will happen.

Speaker #4: That guidance continues, and we are moving in the right direction as far as that is concerned, because that was obviously built over a customer as well as on the ARPU.

Speaker #4: So that guidance continues clearly. On the top line, when we had looked at the total cash EBITDA of 3x, we had taken a guidance of a CAGR of around 16.8% for three years.

Speaker #4: Which also continues as we speak. On the net debt, as Tejas said, we started the year with ₹700-odd crores of bank debt that we had.

Abhijit Kishore: On the net debt, as Tejas said, we started the year with 700 odd crores of the bank debt that we had. We have made a payment of 500 plus crores this quarter, as we stand today, we are at 211 crore of the bank debt. In addition to that, we have taken the NCD borrowing of 3,300 crore. That is the debt that we have. From a bank debt point of view, it is 211 crore from the NCD, which we had raised in the month of December last year. That is 3,300 crore. That is the only debt that we have. On the M2M, I think it is a good story. We are kind of seeing good traction in all the four verticals that we play, be it automatic meter reading, vehicle tracking, connected car, as well as point of sale.

Speaker #4: We have made a payment of over ₹500 crore this quarter, and as we stand today, we are at ₹211 crore of bank debt.

Speaker #4: In addition to that, we have taken the NCD borrowing of ₹3,300 crore—that's the debt that we have. So from a bank debt point of view, it is ₹211 crore. From the NCD which we had raised in the month of December last year, that's ₹3,300 crore.

Speaker #4: So that's the only debt that we have. On the M2M, I think it's a good story. We are kind of seeing good traction in all the four verticals that we play—be it automatic meter reading, vehicle tracking, connected car, as well as point of sale.

Speaker #4: We see good traction, and over the last one year we have actually doubled our net addition as far as machine to machine is concerned, and that trajectory is a very strong trajectory.

Abhijit Kishore: We see a good traction, over the last one year, we have actually doubled our net addition as far as the M2M is concerned, that trajectory is a very strong trajectory. We have a pretty dominant position in the connected car space as far as the IoT is concerned.

Speaker #4: We have a pretty dominant position in the connected car space as far as the IoT is concerned.

Speaker #2: All right. So, just to clarify, Tejas, Aditya — the total net debt for the quarter, we are ending at ₹3,489 crores. So that's the two constituents that Abhijit mentioned.

Tejas Mehta: All right. I will just, Tejas, clarify it. Aditya, just total net debt for the quarter, we are ending it at 3,489 crores. So that is the two constituents that Abhijit mentioned. That was 4,001 crores in the last quarter.

Speaker #2: And that was ₹4,001 crores in the last quarter.

Speaker #3: And can you just clarify that the subscriber base is, in itself, on M2M?

Aditya Suresh: Could you just clarify the subscriber base in itself on M2M?

Speaker #4: So we don't give the breakup. Aditya, on that—as I indicated—the postpaid as well as the M2M is tracking pretty well. Prepaid is where we have a job to do, and that's what the focus is now. As we roll out more and more sites, you know, we are reaching the places where we don't cover today, and that's the focus area.

Abhijit Kishore: We don't give the breakup, Aditya, on that. As I indicated that the postpaid as well as the M2M is tracking pretty well. Prepaid is where we have a job to do, and that's where the focus is now. As we roll out more and more sites, we are reaching to the places where we don't cover today. That's the focus area.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Aditya Suresh: Thank you.

Speaker #4: Thank you, Aditya.

Abhijit Kishore: Thank you, Aditya.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question is from the line of Gaurav from Axis. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from the line of Gaurav from Axis. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Yeah, yeah. Hi. I just had a couple of questions. One is on your network OPEX. That number has sort of remained broadly stable in the last few quarters, even though your network has obviously seen a sharp improvement.

[Analyst] (Axis): Yeah. Hi. I just had a couple of questions. One is on your network OpEx. That number has remained broadly stable in the last few quarters, even though your network has obviously seen a sharp improvement. How should we think about this going ahead?

Gaurav Malhotra: Yeah. Hi. I just had a couple of questions. One is on your network OpEx. That number has remained broadly stable in the last few quarters, even though your network has obviously seen a sharp improvement. How should we think about this going ahead?

Speaker #2: So, how should we sort of think about this going ahead?

Speaker #4: Sure. Thanks for the question. And I think we had a similar question also in the previous quarter. So I think there are two ways to answer. As we look at our cost efficiency efforts, we will look at bringing efficiency into our network costs.

Tejas Mehta: Sure. Thanks for the question. I think we had similar question also in the previous quarter. I think two ways to answer. I think as we look at our cost efficiency effort, we will look at bringing efficiency into our network cost. Yes, while you said we have been rolling out additional sites, we have been able to, in a way, manage the overall network cost. Having said that, we have seen some inflationary challenges from diesel, et cetera, so you might see a little bit of that. But overall, I would say we have been able to offset some of the increases with internal efficiency, and some of it probably might get reflected in the coming quarters. But last two quarters, we have been able to offset that internally.

Speaker #4: So yes, while you said we have been rolling out additional sites, we have been able to, in a way, manage the overall network cost.

Speaker #4: Having said that, we have seen some inflationary challenges from diesel, etc. So you might see a little bit of that, but overall, I would say we've been able to offset some of the increases with internal efficiency, and some of it probably might get reflected in the coming quarters.

Speaker #4: But in the last two quarters, we have been able to offset that internally.

Speaker #2: Understood. The next question is on your roaming access charges. That has seen a sharp increase. So, is there anything related to some intra-circle roaming, or how should we sort of think about this?

[Analyst] (Axis): Understood. The next question is on your roaming access charges. That has seen a sharp increase. Is there anything related to some intra-circle roaming, or how should we think about this?

Gaurav Malhotra: Understood. The next question is on your roaming access charges. That has seen a sharp increase. Is there anything related to some intra-circle roaming, or how should we think about this?

Speaker #4: So, I think it's nothing to do with the inter-circle roaming and nothing structural. You know, as with any business, there are a few lines of business that we have.

Tejas Mehta: No, I think, nothing to do with the intra-circle roaming and nothing structural. Like any business, there are a few lines of business that we have. We have a wholesale line of business, which in this quarter, we have seen a better participation, and that comes with a higher roaming cost. If you will see the same line in the prior quarter, that was a little bit lower. So on an average, if you see the increase is not that high. Again, it is a cash accretive business. Slightly higher cost and a lower percentage margin, but an overall cash accretive business that we were able to participate higher in this quarter.

Speaker #4: We have a wholesale line of business which, in this quarter, we have seen a better participation, and that comes with a higher roaming cost.

Speaker #4: If you will see the same line in the prior quarter, that was a little bit lower. So, on average, if you see, the increase is not that high.

Speaker #4: And again it's a cash accretive business. Slightly higher cost and a lower percentage margin but an overall cash accretive business that was we were able to participate higher in this quarter.

Speaker #2: Okay. Thank you.

[Analyst] (Axis): Cool. Thank you.

Gaurav Malhotra: Cool. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Thank you Gaurav.

Tejas Mehta: Thank you, Varun.

Tejas Mehta: Thank you, Gaurav.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question is from the line of Balaji Subramanian with IIFL. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from the line of Balaji Subramanian with IIFL. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Yeah. Congrats on a decent set of results, and thanks for taking my question. I just had one. If I look at the postpaid additions, they are at a multi-quarter high, but I can also see that a lot of that is probably led by M2M.

Balaji Subramanian: Yeah. Congrats on a decent set of results and also taking my question. I just had one. If I look at the postpaid additions, they are at a multi-quarter high, but I can also see that a lot of that is probably led by M2M. If I look at the TRAI number, 2 million M2M subscribers were added in the June quarter. That means there was a slight dip in the postpaid subscriber base ex-M2M in the June quarter, which is probably after four quarters of positive additions on the postpaid ex-M2M front.

Speaker #2: So if I look at the TRAI number, 2 million M2M subscribers were added in the June quarter. So that means, you know, there was a slight dip in the postpaid subscriber base, ex M2M, in the June quarter.

Speaker #2: Which is probably you know after four quarters of positive additions on the postpaid ex M2M front. So you know has this got anything to do with you know I know you know this question was also touched upon earlier but has it got anything to do with the priority plan Airtel Fastlane you know that was recently launched by Bharti and you know do you see that as a risk because you know postpaid is where you know Vodafone has been fairly strong and we also saw that in the quarter that went by Bharti's postpaid additions crossed the 1 million mark for the first time.

Balaji Subramanian: So, has this got anything to do with, I know this question was also touched upon earlier, but has it got anything to do with the priority plan, Airtel Fast Lane, that was recently launched by Bharti, and do you see that as a risk because postpaid is where Vodafone has been fairly strong, and we also saw that in the quarter that went by, Bharti's postpaid additions crossed the 1 million mark for the first time. How would you plan to face off this challenge? That would be my only question.

Speaker #2: So, you know, how would you kind of, you know, plan to, you know, face off this challenge? That would be my only question.

Speaker #4: Yeah, no, thanks, Balaji, for asking that question. No, so we have not seen—as I said, you know, even to Sanjesh—we have not seen any dip in the postpaid business.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah. No, thanks, Balaji, for asking that question. We have not seen, as I said, even to Sanjesh, we have not seen any dip in the postpaid business. Even the net addition for us in postpaid has been consistently over the last six to eight quarters, been positive. It is growing. So there is no dip that we have seen at all. As far as the M2M is concerned, clearly there is an increase in Q1 over the last quarter, which is where you see the increase in the M2M part. Both these businesses are pretty stable business and a net addition positive business for us. So we do not see that. That is one. Second, as I said that our focus from the retail stores that we have, we have 2,600-plus retail stores in 650-plus towns, where we have stores and mini stores.

Speaker #4: Even the net addition for us in postpaid has consistently, over the last six to eight quarters, been positive. And it's growing. So, there is no dip that we have seen at all.

Speaker #4: As far as the M2M is concerned, clearly there is an increase in quarter one over the last quarter, which is where you see the increase in the M2M part.

Speaker #4: Both these businesses are pretty stable business and a net addition positive business for us. So we don't see that. That's one. Second as I said that you know our focus from the retail stores that we have we have 2,600 plus retails stores in 650 plus towns.

Speaker #4: We have, you know, V stores and mini stores. Of course, in these stores, we don't see any dip whatsoever across the country as far as this business is concerned.

Abhijit Kishore: Across these stores, we do not see any dip whatsoever across the country as far as this business is concerned. Would not want to comment on what competition plan is, but we do not really see anything, and on the contrary, we are adding subscribers.

Speaker #4: Would not want to comment on what the competition plan is, but we don't really see anything, and on the contrary, we are adding subscribers.

Speaker #2: Got it. Thank you, and thank you to all of us.

Balaji Subramanian: Got it. Thank you and all the best.

Speaker #4: Thank you Balaji.

Abhijit Kishore: Thank you, Balaji.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Saurabh Handa with Citigroup. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Saurabh Handa with Citigroup. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Yeah, thank you for the opportunity. My first question was on the funding that you spoke about. You've raised funds of ₹6,400 crores. Now, of this, ₹1,200 crores is the upfront warrant money which had already come in June.

Saurabh Handa: Yeah, thank you for the opportunity. My first question was on the funding that you spoke about. You have raised funds of INR 6,400 crores. Now, of this, if INR 1,200 crores is the upfront warrant money which had already come in June, could you just tell us a bit more about this balance of INR 6,200 of incremental funding? How much of this is debt versus non-fund-based? Is the source of debt, is it ECBs or is it Indian banks?

Speaker #3: Could you just tell us a bit more about this balance of 6,200 of incremental funding? Is this mainly—I mean, how much of this is debt versus non-fund based?

Speaker #3: And is the source of debt—is it ECBs or is it Indian banks?

Speaker #4: Yeah, so thanks, Harish, for asking that question. You’re right. So we’ve got the ₹1,183 crores, which is a partial part on the warrant, and we have been able to raise.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah. Thanks, Saurabh, for asking that question. You are right. So we got the INR 1,183 crores, which is a partial part on the warrant, and we have been able to raise, as I said, in the three cohorts. This is primarily from the ECBs and the Indian private bank. This is a mix of both debt as well as the non-funded facility. Can't give you the split, but yeah, it is a split between both of them. There is a part of the ECB as well in this.

Speaker #4: As I said, in the three cohorts, this is primarily from the ECBs and the Indian private bank. And this is a mix of both debt as well as non-funded facilities.

Speaker #4: Can't give you the split, but yeah, it is the split between both of them. And there is a part of the ECB as well.

Speaker #4: In this.

Speaker #3: Okay, so you had cash on books of 6,600 in June. So, to this, should we be adding this 5,200 to look at how much visibility you have in terms of how much you can spend over the next few quarters, even without, say, bank debt funding?

Saurabh Handa: Okay. So, you had cash on books of INR 6,600 in June. So to this, should we be adding this INR 5,200 to look at how much visibility you have in terms of how much you can spend over the next few quarters, even without, say, bank debt funding? Is that the right way to think about it?

Speaker #3: Is that the right way to think about it?

Speaker #4: Yeah, I think that's largely the right way to think about it, which is why we said, you know, when we have placed orders of close to ₹9,000 crores, or ₹9,100 crores, as Abhijit said, that is also leveraging the opening cash balance that we have in the business.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah, I think that's largely the right way to think about, which is why we said when we have placed orders of close to INR 9,000 crores or INR 9,100 crores, as Abhijit Kishore said, that is also leveraging the opening cash balance that we have in the business.

Speaker #3: Okay. Got it. And my second question is again on M2M. So just to give you some numbers here. So on postpaid you've reported a growth of 1.8 million subscribers quarter on quarter.

Saurabh Handa: Okay, got it. My second question is again on M2M. Just to give you some numbers here. On postpaid, you've reported a growth of 1.8 million subscribers quarter on quarter. As per TRAI, your M2M subscribers are up by 2 million, quarter on quarter. If you subtract M2M, you get a slight dip in postpaid, I think, which is what some of the other participants were also talking about. Are we looking at this the right way, or are there some M2M subscribers which are prepaid and not postpaid? We just wanted to understand this better.

Speaker #3: And as per TRAI, your M2M subscribers are up by 2 million quarter-on-quarter. So if you subtract M2M, you get a slight dip in postpaid, I think, which is what some of the other participants were also talking about.

Speaker #3: So, are we looking at this the right way, or are there some M2M subscribers which are prepaid and not postpaid? I mean, Abhijit just wanted to understand this.

Speaker #4: No, I don't think there is any prepaid subscriber as far as the M2M is concerned. They are all postpaid subscribers. It could be a timing gap because, you know, there are certain businesses which are the bootstrap business.

Abhijit Kishore: No, I don't think there is any prepaid subscriber, as far as the M2M is concerned. They are all postpaid subscribers. It could be a timing gap because there are certain businesses which are a bootstrap business. So that could be the only delta that you could have. Otherwise, as I said, whether it is in the gross acquisition or the net addition, there is no structural challenge that we find in the business.

Speaker #4: So that could be the only delta that you could have. Otherwise, as I said, whether it is in the gross acquisition or the net addition, there is no structural challenge that we find in the business.

Speaker #3: Okay, that's great. Thank you for the clarification. Thank you.

Saurabh Handa: Okay, that's great. Thank you for the clarification. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Thank you for it.

Abhijit Kishore: Thank you, Praveen.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question is from the line of Hardik Goyal with Union Mutual Fund. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from the line of Hardik Goyal with Union Mutual Fund. Please go ahead.

Hardik Goyal: Hi, sir. Thanks for this opportunity. Sir, my question is there a talks between you and BSNL for tower and infra sharing? If so, will that be more accretive to your margins than your already mentioned guidance? Thank you.

Speaker #5: Hi sir. Thanks for this opportunity. Sir, my question is: are there talks between you and BSNL for tower and infra sharing? And if so, will that be more accretive to your margin than your already mentioned guidance?

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Speaker #4: No, I mean BSB already has, Hardik, some relationship with BSNL, where we do the tower sharing with BSNL. But that's the one that we are doing right now.

Abhijit Kishore: No, we already have, Hardik, some relationship with BSNL where we do the tower sharing with BSNL. That's the one that we are doing right now. Other than that, there's no other tower sharing as we speak.

Speaker #4: Other than that, there is no other tower sharing as we speak.

Speaker #5: Thank you sir.

Hardik Goyal: Thank you, sir.

Speaker #4: Thank you.

Abhijit Kishore: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen to ask a question you may please press star and one. Our next question is from. Our next question is from the line of Kishan with Dam Capital.

Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, to ask a question, you may please press star and one. Our next question is from the line of Kishan with DAM Capital. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Hi sir, thanks for taking the question. So, just one question from my end. Sir, regarding the ARPU growth that you've reported, for the customer ARPU growth, is it possible for you to bifurcate the same between 2G to 4G upgrades, and between international roaming and prepaid to postpaid?

[Analyst] (DAM Capital): Yeah. Hi, sir. Thanks for taking the question. Sir, just one question from my end. Sir, the ARPU growth that you have reported for the customer ARPU growth, is it possible for you to bifurcate the same between 2G to 4G upgrades, between international roaming, prepaid to postpaid? Is that possible?

Kishan Mundhra: Yeah. Hi, sir. Thanks for taking the question. Sir, just one question from my end. Sir, the ARPU growth that you have reported for the customer ARPU growth, is it possible for you to bifurcate the same between 2G to 4G upgrades, between international roaming, prepaid to postpaid? Is that possible?

Speaker #6: Is that possible?

Speaker #4: Kishan, we normally don't have it, but I can give you a little bit of a flavor on that to say that, you know, between a customer who is a 2G to a 4G customer, you typically see an upgrade value of an ARPU of roughly around ₹230 to ₹240.

Abhijit Kishore: Kishan, we normally don't have it, but I can give you a little bit of a flavor on that to say that, between a customer who is a 2G to a 4G customer, you typically see an upgrade value of an ARPU of roughly around INR 230 to INR 240. Between unlimited data customer, which is a quota customer, the way we call it, a 1.5GB customer, when you migrate to a Nonstop Hero, which is a truly unlimited, you see a delta of INR 30 to INR 35. So I think that's the kind of range that can give you a flavor of what's the kind of ARPU arbitrage that we have.

Speaker #4: Between unlimited data customers, which is the quota customer or the 1.5 GB customer, when you migrate to a Non-Stop Hero, which is a truly unlimited plan, you see a delta of Rs. 20, 30, 35—30 to 35 rupees.

Speaker #4: So I think that's the kind of range that can give you a flavor of what is the kind of ARPU arbitrage that we have.

Speaker #6: Okay. And if I may ask, I mean.

[Analyst] (DAM Capital): Okay. If I may ask, I mean-

Kishan Mundhra: Okay. If I may ask, I mean-

Speaker #4: Yeah. And to add to that we have a substantial amount of customers who are a 2G customers on our network. And that gives us the unique opportunity of really upgrading those customers you know as in when we are rolling out the network and we are reaching closer to the customers who would want to upgrade from their 2G to a 4G network.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah, to add to that, we have a substantial amount of customers who are our 2G customers on our network. That gives us the unique opportunity of really upgrading those customers, as and when we are rolling out the network and we are reaching closer to the customers, who would want to upgrade from their 2G to a 4G network or 5G for that matter.

Speaker #4: Or 5G for that matter.

Speaker #6: Okay. So if I may ask I mean so why why the growth in ARPU what would you think is the is the biggest driver the 2G to 4G upgrades would this be the key driving factor in ARPU among other things?

[Analyst] (DAM Capital): Okay. If I may ask, year-over-year, the growth in ARPU, what would you think is the biggest driver? The 2G to 4G upgrades, would this be the key driving factor in ARPU, among other things?

Kishan Mundhra: Okay. If I may ask, year-over-year, the growth in ARPU, what would you think is the biggest driver? The 2G to 4G upgrades, would this be the key driving factor in ARPU, among other things?

Speaker #4: Yeah. I mean it is the that's the premiumization that happens that you know when the customer keeps upgrading himself so the when so one upgrade is when a 2G customer is upgrading to a 4G or a 5G handset second upgrade that we see is when you have a smartphone but you are probably a multi-simmer which means you have two or three operators in and when you start using my network only for voice and then you migrate to a data that's another opportunity for me and that's again a very significant base for us.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah, that is the premiumization that happens when the customer keeps upgrading themselves. So one upgrade is when a 2G customer is upgrading to a 4G or a 5G handset. Second upgrade that we see is when you have a smartphone, but you are probably a multi-SIMer, which means you have two or three operators in, and when you start using my network only for voice, and then you migrate to a data. That is another opportunity for me, and that is again, a very significant base for us. Then the third opportunity for us is when you are a data customer, but not unlimited or a truly unlimited data customer. When you migrate to that, depending upon how your data usage pattern is. So between the three, we upgrade our customers depending upon which cohort the customers belong to.

Speaker #4: And then the third opportunity for us is when you are a data customer but not an unlimited or a truly unlimited data customer, and when you migrate to that depending upon how your data usage pattern is.

Speaker #4: So, between the three, we upgrade our customers depending upon, you know, which cohort the customers belong to, and each of these upgrade cohorts has an ARPU differential, which is where the ARPU build-up happens.

Abhijit Kishore: Each of these upgrade cohorts has an ARPU differential, which is where the ARPU buildup happens, in absence of any structured price changes.

Speaker #4: In the absence of any, you know, structured price changes.

Speaker #6: Okay. Okay, sir. Understood. Thank you.

[Analyst] (DAM Capital): Okay, sir. Understood. Thank you.

Kishan Mundhra: Okay, sir. Understood. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Thank you Kishan.

Abhijit Kishore: Thank you, Kishan.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Bhavineni Srinivas, an individual investor. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Bhavineni Srinivas, an individual investor. Please go ahead.

Speaker #7: Hi. Thank you, sir. If your ideas' depths are very worrying, the thing for investors is: Is there no chance to go for equity instead of loans for improvement of this Vodafone Idea?

Bhavineni Srinivas: Thank you, sir. For Vodafone Idea, debts are a very worrying thing for investors. Is there no chance to go for the equity instead of loans for the improvement of this Vodafone Idea?

Speaker #4: Thank you for the question, sir. I think if you look at our balance sheet, sir, there is a lot of equity. In fact, all our investments have been funded by equity, and our debt as we speak is only ₹3,489 crores. I think, being an infra company, there is enough room for debt. I think you started with this comment saying you are worried—I think Abhijit spoke about the efforts we are making on the debt rate.

Tejas Mehta: Thank you for the question, sir. I think if you look at our balance sheet, sir, there is a lot of equity. In fact, all our investments have been funded by equity. Our debt, as we speak, is only INR 3,489 crores. I think being an infra company, there is enough room for debt. I think you started with this comment saying you are worried. Abhijit spoke about the efforts we are on the debt race. I think we are confident on that. At this time, I think we are more focused on debt versus equity.

Speaker #4: So I think we are confident on that. Anand said this time, I think we are more focused on debt versus equity.

Speaker #7: Thank you, sir. Okay, sir. May I request, please, to minimize the debt and improve the company's balance sheet? Thank you, sir.

Bhavineni Srinivas: Okay, sir. Please minimize the debts and improve the company's balance sheet. Thank you, sir.

Speaker #4: Thank you.

Tejas Mehta: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Aditya Bansal with Motilal Oswal. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Aditya Bansal with Motilal Oswal. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Yeah, thanks for taking my question. My first question is around the ARPU again. So, would you be able to provide some color in terms of penetration on unlimited data plans and Non-Stop Hero plans in the mix currently, and where would you see this settling out over the medium term?

Aditya Bansal: Yeah, thanks for taking my question. My first question is around the ARPU again. Would you be able to provide some color in terms of penetration on unlimited data plans and Nonstop Hero plans in the mix currently, and where would you see this cycling out over the medium term?

Speaker #4: No. So, see Aditya, thanks for asking that question. As I was explaining, we have a pretty large and significant opportunity as far as both these cohorts are concerned.

Abhijit Kishore: Aditya, thanks for asking that question. As I was explaining that we have a pretty large and significant opportunity as far as both these cohorts are concerned. Whether it is unlimited voice moving to unlimited data or unlimited data moving to a Nonstop Hero, we are upgrading, I would say, almost to tune of 3% to 4% customers every quarter on an upgrade basis in this. That is the flavor that I can, at this point in time, that is the whole endeavor on the organic ARPU.

Speaker #4: Whether it is unlimited voice moving to unlimited data or unlimited data moving to a Non-Stop Hero, we are upgrading, I will say, almost to the tune of 3–4% customers every quarter.

Speaker #4: On an upgrade basis. In this, so that's the flavor that I can share at this point in time. That's the whole endeavor on the organic ARPU.

Speaker #6: Any sense on the current mix, so that we also know, like, what is the potential there?

Aditya Bansal: Any sense on the current mix so that we also know what is the potential there?

Speaker #4: Sorry, can you repeat your question?

Abhijit Kishore: Sorry, can you repeat your question?

Speaker #6: Any idea on the current mix of these unlimited data plans? So that we also get an idea, like what could be the further potential from here on.

Aditya Bansal: Any idea on the current mix of this unlimited data plans, so that we also get an idea on what could be the further potential from here on?

Speaker #4: Yeah, so as I had indicated earlier as well, we have 66% of our customers who are on smartphones between 4G and 5G, and 34% of the customers are on 2G.

Abhijit Kishore: Yeah. As I had indicated earlier as well, we have 66% of our customers who are on smartphone between 4G and 5G, and 34% of the customers are on 2G. That is the big mix that we see. Between the mix of our customers who are on the smartphone, there is a significant amount of customers who are using data, and then we still have an opportunity who have a smartphone, but are using us for voice. Probably in those areas we have not reached on the 4G data. That is another big cohort of opportunity that we have.

Speaker #4: And that's a big mix that we see. Between the mix of customers who are on the smartphone, there is a significant amount of customers who are using data, and then we still have an opportunity—customers who have a smartphone but are using us for voice.

Speaker #4: Probably in those areas, we have not reached on the 4G data. So that's another big cohort of opportunity that we have.

Speaker #6: Sure, thanks a lot. So the second one is on the subscriber trends. I see there are several divergences this time in terms of trends, be it VLR, where we have a decline in customer wireless.

Aditya Bansal: Sure. Thanks a lot. The second one is on the subscriber trends. I see there are several divergences this time in terms of trends on be it VLR where we have a decline, customer wireless. Again, if I net off the M2M, there is a decline. What explain the same, in terms of you are saying, on every circle you are seeing some bit of improvement, versus VLR decline. Any comments on that?

Speaker #6: Again, if I net off the M2M, there is a decline. So what explains the same? Like, in terms of—you are saying on every circle you are seeing some bit of improvement.

Speaker #6: Versus VLR decline, any comments on that?

Speaker #4: See. The only there is no so as I said Aditya there is no structural challenge that we see. But quarter one typically is a seasonal quarter where we see some customers migrating back from a urban to a rural market and those are some of the markets where we feel that you know our network probably is still not been there.

Abhijit Kishore: See, as I said, Aditya, there is no structural challenge that we see. But Q1 typically is a seasonal quarter, where we see some customers migrating back from urban to a rural market. Those are some of the markets where we feel that our network probably is still not in there. That is the only delta that we see at this point in time. There is no structural. Whether it is our gross addition is concerned or the quality of acquisition is concerned, or the customer retentivity is concerned, and I am talking both on postpaid and prepaid, this doesn't seem to be an issue. This is more a seasonal thing, and it will kind of start coming back. Rather in the month of July, we have already started to see some good traction.

Speaker #4: And that's the only delta that we see at this point in time. There is no structural. So whether it is our gross addition is concerned, or the quality of acquisition is concerned, or the customer retentivity is concerned.

Speaker #4: And I am talking about both postpaid and prepaid. This doesn't seem to be an issue. So this is more of a seasonal thing, and it will kind of start coming back. In the month of July, we have already started to see some good traction.

Speaker #6: Sure. And lastly, in terms of the site count, can you just reconfirm—you mentioned 3, 3 and a half per month—and what is the medium-term target that we are looking for for the 4G sites?

Aditya Bansal: Sure. Lastly, in terms of the site count, can you just reconfirm, you mentioned 3 and a half per month, and what is the medium-term target that we are looking for the 4G sites?

Speaker #4: If you remember, in the three-year guidance I had said roughly around 55,000 to 57,000 sites on 4G and 86,000 to 90,000 sites on 5G.

Abhijit Kishore: If you remember, in the three-year guidance, I had said, roughly around 55,000, 57,000 sites on 4G and 86,000 to 90,000 sites on 5G. So we are on that trend. We intend to finish our 4G rollout over the next 18 odd months so that we are at par on what our target is in the 17 circles. The 5G, as I said, because you will need a little bit of a fiber, so that might get into the third year of execution as well. So we maintain and then stand on that guidance.

Speaker #4: So, we are on trend. We intend to finish our 4G rollout over the next 18-odd months, so that you know we are at par with what our target is.

Speaker #4: In the 17 circles, the 5G, as I had said, because, you know, you'll need a little bit of fiber, so that might get into the third year of execution as well.

Speaker #4: So we maintain on, and then stand on that guidance.

Speaker #6: Thanks a lot. Thanks for answering the questions, and all the best.

Aditya Bansal: Thanks a lot. Thanks for answering the questions, and all the best.

Speaker #4: Thank you Aditya.

Abhijit Kishore: Thank you, Aditya.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will take that as the last question for today. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Kishore for closing comments.

Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will take that as the last question for today. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Kishore for closing comments. Over to you, sir.

Speaker #1: Over to you sir.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Arvind. The defining theme for this quarter is momentum. We have delivered on all seven critical business parameters. Each win is a building block towards our FY29 guidance.

Abhijit Kishore: Thanks, Arvind. The defining theme for this quarter is momentum. We have delivered on all the seven critical business parameters. Each win is a building block towards our FY29 guidance. Our three-year targets are unambiguous, sustained net addition, double-digit revenue growth, and 3x on the cash EBITDA. We already demonstrated investment continuity across multiple quarters. The continued support from the promoters and our ongoing conversation with various sets of lenders gives us the confidence that we have the financial architecture in place to support our roadmap. Our path forward is clear, and what we are now focused is on execution. Thank you for joining in. We will meet you again next quarter. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Our three-year targets are unambiguous: sustain net additions, double-digit revenue growth, and 3x on the cash EBITDA. We have already demonstrated investment continuity.

Speaker #4: Across multiple quarters, the continued support from the promoters and our ongoing conversations with various sets of lenders give us confidence that we have the financial architecture in place to support our roadmap.

Speaker #4: Our path forward is clear, and what we are now focused on is execution. Thank you for joining in. We’ll meet you again next quarter.

Speaker #4: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. On behalf of Vodafone Idea, that concludes this conference. Thank you all for joining us. You may now disconnect your lines.

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Q1 2027 Vodafone Idea Ltd Earnings Call

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