New Delhi: Vodafone Idea (Vi) plans to replace old Chinese network equipment with Samsung’s 5G gear in key regions, as part of a major network upgrade. This shift follows a Rs 30,000 crore deal Vi signed with Samsung, Nokia, and Ericsson to modernize its infrastructure.
The move comes as Vi prioritizes phasing out Huawei and ZTE equipment, which hasn’t met national security approvals. Samsung will lead 5G deployments, to upgrade 75,000 sites over the next three years. For 4G, Vi aims to boost coverage to 90% by next year, up from 77%, focusing on about 45,000 sites.
While Vi has steadily added 4G users, it has been losing customers overall due to stiff competition. Vi is counting on this network upgrade to stay in the game and improve service quality as it faces pressure from rivals. The company’s long-term investment plan totals Rs 55,000 crore and aims to catch up in the fast-evolving telecom market.
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