April 19 2016, 10.44 AM IST || Pocket News Alert
Vodafone India Welcomes Government’s Initiatives to Support Telecom Sector Growth
Vodafone India has welcomed recent initiatives by the government to harmonize spectrum in select bands and to reduce the subscriber usage charges (SUC).
Commenting on the proposed spectrum harmonization, Mr. Sunil Sood, MD & CEO, Vodafone India said, “Harmonizing the available spectrum to offer additional quantum via auction is another progressive step by the Government (after spectrum trading and sharing), to maximize efficiency of this precious resource. With Digital India as the guiding vision and consumer demands evolving from voice to data, the telecom industry increasingly needs more of quality spectrum to be made available at reasonable prices. An efficient spectrum also directly results in providing customers with a superior network experience”
The report to reduce SUC from 5% to 3% of adjusted gross revenues (AGR) will bring in much needed relief to the highly capital intensive telecom sector.
Commenting on the reduction in SUC charges, Mr. Sunil Sood, MD & CEO, Vodafone India, said, , “The telecom sector is severely debt laden (more than Rs. 3 lakh crore at last count and growing). This reduction in SUC charges from 5% to 3% will free cash-flows which can be invested towards further enhancing network and customer experience. It is a positive step that benefits the industry and is also in line with the TRAI’s recommendation of having a uniform, minimal SUC charge for all spectrum across the industry.”
Vodafone India is a 100% fully owned subsidiary of the Vodafone Group Plc. with operations across the country serving over 194 million customers (over 100 million in rural areas). Commencing operations in 2007, Vodafone is today India’s largest foreign direct investor, with a robust, award winning business and committed for the long term. Vodafone Business Services serves the needs of enterprises and government by providing total telecommunications (Voice and Data) solutions across mobility and wireline platforms. Our mobile wallet, M-Pesa is a unique and innovative money transfer service from Vodafone that fosters financial inclusion.
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