Vodafone Idea (Vi) in New Delhi described the launch of its commercial fifth-generation (5G) service as a new chapter of growth and transformation. The company said it will introduce new and innovative offerings to enhance customer experience. Vi CEO Abhijit Kishore wrote to customers before Diwali that with the launch of Vi 5G this year and the expansion of its 5G/4G network across the country, the company is emerging stronger and delivering faster and better service to customers.
5G service currently in select cities
Vi has been slightly behind in rolling out 5G services and is now rolling it out in select cities across 17 major revenue-generating circles. Last year, the company awarded 5G contracts worth $3.6 billion to major companies like Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung. This move is crucial for the company to compete with major competitors like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
The Role of AI and Smart Networks
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, and Self-Organizing Network Technology (SON) play a key role in Vi’s strategy. These technologies ensure better network connectivity and improve connections in real time. Currently, Vi’s 4G and 5G network technology serves 1.2 billion people.
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Customer-Centric Digital and Financial Solutions
Vi has also launched several digital and financial services for its customers. The company has partnered with Aditya Birla Finance to introduce finance and easy payment plans. Customers can now enjoy more data, flexibility, and entertainment options on family plans. Additionally, Vi has also introduced international roaming benefits, including travel insurance and baggage protection in over 150 countries.
Offline Reach Expanded
Vi has opened 100 new Vi stores in the past year. There are now over 2,500 dedicated stores across the country, where customers can easily access services. This development is considered a major step towards improving the company’s customer service.
Vi Protect: Artificial Intelligence for Security
The company has also launched a new service, “Vi Protect.” This AI-based feature has been developed to protect customers from spam calls, fraud, and cyberattacks. It sends alerts for spam and suspicious calls and includes an international call identification system, which helps customers identify the real caller.
Subscriber Challenges and Future Plans
Although Vi lost 0.3 million subscribers in August, it now has a total of 204 million subscribers. In this context, Reliance Jio has 479 million subscribers and Airtel has 392 million subscribers. Vi aims to grow and strengthen its network through new technology and superior customer experience.
