Debt-laden telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has reported an improvement in its financial performance for the third quarter of the fiscal year, reducing its net loss to Rs.6,609 crore, compared to Rs.6,986 crore in Q3 FY24. The company’s revenues rose by 4 percent year-on-year to Rs.11,117 crore, up from Rs.10,673 crore in the same quarter last year, according to regulatory filings, UNI reported from New Delhi.

Vodafone Idea’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) stood at Rs.2,450 crore, marking a 15 percent YoY growth—its highest since the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular in 2018. CEO Akshaya Moondra stated that the company is accelerating its capital expenditure (capex) investments and gradually rolling out 5G services in key geographies.

“We are driving investments, and the velocity of capex deployment is set to accelerate in the coming quarters. The phased rollout of 5G services is underway, targeting key markets. With our intensifying investments, we anticipate further improvement in both operational and financial performance,” Moondra said.

Vi reported an increase in its Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) to Rs.173, reflecting a 4.2 percent growth from the previous quarter and a 19.3 percent jump year-on-year, primarily due to tariff hikes. However, its subscriber base continued to decline, standing at 199.8 million at the end of December 2024.

Vi, jointly owned by Vodafone Group (UK) and Aditya Birla Group, with 22.6 percent government ownership, recently secured Rs.1,910 crore in equity infusion from one of its promoters. Over the past 10 months, the company has raised Rs.26,000 crore in fresh equity capital.

The telecom operator is actively engaging with lenders for debt financing to support its Rs.50,000–Rs.55,000 crore network expansion plan over the next three years. Moondra highlighted that the Indian government’s decision to waive bank guarantee requirements reflects its commitment to strengthening the telecom sector, which is a crucial component of India’s digital infrastructure.

With its renewed financial focus and upcoming 5G expansion, Vi is aiming for a sustainable turnaround in the highly competitive Indian telecom market.