Vodafone Idea and BSNL formalise nationwide network sharing deal; CEOs met Tuesday to finalise expansion across all circles

Vodafone Idea and BSNL have formalized a comprehensive network sharing agreement, expanding their existing collaboration to all telecom circles in India. This strategic partnership, finalized during a meeting between Vodafone Idea CEO Abhijit Kishore and BSNL Chairman Robert J Ravi, aims to enhance coverage and revenue for both companies.¹²⁴⁷

The agreement allows BSNL users to access Vodafone Idea's network, leveraging a revenue-sharing model. This is particularly beneficial in rural markets where infrastructure development is costly and time-consuming. The companies will implement both intra-circle and inter-circle roaming arrangements, along with sharing of telecom towers and optical fiber infrastructure.³

Industry analysts suggest that this partnership could help both operators reduce capital and operational costs while improving service quality. Vodafone Idea stands to gain additional revenue from BSNL subscribers using its network, while BSNL can enhance its reach, especially in urban areas.

Currently, both companies have a limited intra-circle roaming arrangement in Delhi and Mumbai, but this new agreement is expected to extend their collaboration to other regions. The deal is seen as a practical step to improve service quality and accelerate network upgrades without heavy fresh investment, as both companies have lagged behind market leaders Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in network quality and 5G rollout.⁵⁸

Further details on commercial terms and implementation timelines are anticipated in the coming days.