Vi: Call Anyone, Even Offline

Alright, folks, gather ’round, ’cause we got a real head-scratcher brewing in the Indian telecom scene. Vodafone Idea, or Vi as the cool kids call it, is caught in a seriously sticky web. Picture this: they’re trying to launch satellites, like some telecom Elon Musk, but they’re also drowning in debt. It’s like trying to build a rocket ship in a bathtub! So, let’s dive into this mess, shall we? Is Vi going to boldly go where no telecom has gone before, or is it destined for a crash landing? Fasten your seatbelts, this could get bumpy.

Vi, once a titan in the Indian telecom market, is now facing a vortex of troubles that threaten its very existence. They are striving to innovate with cutting-edge services, most notably their ambitious foray into satellite connectivity. But the company is simultaneously burdened with staggering debt, losing subscribers faster than you can say “call drop,” and plagued by persistent network issues that would make even the most patient customer reach for a carrier pigeon. This precarious situation has led to some rather dire warnings about potential insolvency without significant intervention, specifically from the government, and all this while trying to roll out 5G! Talk about juggling chainsaws!

Let’s unpack this financial pickle, shall we?

Okay, so here’s the shiny object distracting us from the dumpster fire. Vi is getting into the satellite game, partnering with AST SpaceMobile. And guess what? They pulled off the world’s first satellite video call using a standard 4G/5G smartphone. Dude, that’s kinda cool! Think about it: connecting remote areas, bridging the digital divide in a country as diverse as India. This isn’t just about making calls; it’s about connecting villages, enabling telemedicine, and empowering communities that are currently cut off from the digital world. This tech uses low-earth-orbit satellites, offering direct-to-device connectivity. Essentially, it’s mobile service from space. Move over, Starlink (who are currently focusing on text service), Vi wants to video chat from above! This satellite gambit is potentially a groundbreaking move, positioning them as a leader in next-generation connectivity and solving long-standing issues of accessibility.

But here’s the buzzkill: all this innovation is happening while the company is teetering on the edge of a financial cliff. The Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) ruling has them in a headlock. Basically, the government redefined how telecom companies’ revenue is calculated for levies, and Vi owes a mountain of money as a result. They’ve even warned they might not make it past FY26 without a hefty dose of government kindness. A potential collapse of Vi, with its 230 million+ customers, would be catastrophic for the Indian telecom sector. Airtel would be the major winner, grabbing up a lot more customers. The government is trying to avoid this situation because it would lead to a duopoly in the telecom space. Less competition in the marketplace will hurt the Indian populace as the prevailing telecom companies will raise rates to increase their revenues. Vi is pleading to the Supreme Court of Judicature to step in and to provide further relief on AGR dues.

Alright, financial woes aside, what about the actual service Vi is providing? Here’s where things get… messy.

Frequent network outages have become a frustrating reality for Vi customers. Recent incidents in the National Capital Region (NCR) left people stranded—unable to connect with family, access essential services, or even doomscroll their social media feeds. I sympathize! These blackouts aren’t isolated incidents. Complaints about call drops and sluggish internet speeds are rampant, eroding customer trust and causing subscribers to jump ship faster than rats fleeing a… well, you get the picture. It’s the network effect in reverse. People see their friends and family moving to Jio or Airtel. If everyone you know is on a competing network, guess what you’re getting for Christmas, a new SIM card.

Sure, Vi claims to be fixing these issues, rolling out 5G in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, and offering VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) calling. VoWiFi calls will help to alleviate the issues of spotty coverage. They have even joined forces with Cisco to ramp up network performance. But seriously, folks, these are bandaids on a bullet wound. Until Vi can consistently deliver reliable service, customers are going to keep voting with their wallets and those wallets will be heading elsewhere. You’re only only as good as your most recent results. Vi is failing on this front.