India needs a 3-player telecom market, says Airtel MD and CEO

India needs a three-player market and Vodafone India will remain operational, according to Bharti Airtel officials. The industry’s average revenue per user (ARPU) needs to move up further to ensure viability of the sector, they added.

“On Vodafone, I think my view is that they will remain… I wish that they will thrive. India needs a three-player market. It’s a large enough market place to absorb three players. I think it will be good from all perspectives — investment, jobs and reputation — that Vodafone survives and thrives,” Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of India & South Asia at Bharti Airtel, said in a post-earnings analysts call.

Vittal also said that the industry was hopeful of a constructive engagement with the judiciary and the government on the AGR issue.