Vi mobile broadband use soars, liquidity still at risk

Vodafone Idea Ltd added 4.6 million mobile broadband subscribers in August, the highest among all telcos, as it continues to convert a large number of its 2G customers to higher-paying 4G users.

According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) data, rival Bharti Airtel Ltd added 3.2 million mobile broadband users, while Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd signed up 1.9 million during the month.

Vodafone India’s addition of 4G customers, despite the fall in its overall subscriber numbers, helps improve its financial metrics, but analysts said the company still needs cash to tide over its current debt situation.