Debt-ridden Vi seals $3.6 billion network gear deal with Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung

Debt-ridden telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has concluded a $3.6 billion deal with Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung, for supply of network equipment over a period of three years. The deal marks the first step towards the rollout of the company’s three year capex plan of $6.6 billion, Vi said.

“The capex programme is directed towards expanding the 4G population coverage from 1.03 billion to 1.2 billion, launching 5G in key markets and capacity expansion in line with data growth,” the company said in a press release.