Vodafone Idea Ltd, India’s third-largest telecom operator, added subscribers in the June quarter for the first time since its August 2018 merger, according to livemint.com. The company also cut its losses while growing revenue and operating profit, driven by network expansion and rising data consumption.
The telecom operator’s customer base increased in the quarter ended June 2026, reversing a long trend of subscriber declines since the merger. Vodafone Idea’s improved financials were supported by a government decision to slash its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues by ₹23,600 crore to ₹64,046 crore, with most payments deferred by 10 years to the period from fiscal years 2036 to 2041, livemint.com reported.
This marks a significant turnaround for Vodafone Idea, which had struggled with losses and subscriber erosion in a highly competitive Indian telecom market dominated by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. The AGR dues relief and deferred payment schedule have eased Vodafone Idea’s cash flow pressures, enabling investments in network expansion and service improvements to attract and retain customers.
Vodafone Idea’s next quarterly earnings report, expected in November 2026, will provide further clarity on whether the subscriber growth trend and improved profitability can be sustained amid ongoing market competition and regulatory developments, according to livemint.com.