Vodafone Idea (Vi) and state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) have reportedly agreed to expand network sharing across all telecom circles in India, potentially allowing subscribers of both operators to access each other’s networks in more service areas. The development follows a meeting between Vi CEO Abhijit Kishore and BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Robert J. Ravi, according to a CNBC Awaaz report cited by multiple publications. The proposed arrangement is expected to include both intra-circle and inter-circle roaming as well as broader sharing of network infrastructure.
The reported agreement would mark a significant expansion from the existing cooperation between the two operators. Vi and BSNL already have an intra-circle roaming arrangement in Delhi and Mumbai, under which BSNL customers can use Vi’s network on a revenue-sharing basis. BSNL had also leased about 1,441 towers to Vi as of April 2026, while the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been encouraging the two companies to explore deeper sharing of towers, fiber and other network assets.
Vi And BSNL Move Toward Nationwide Network Sharing
The reported nationwide arrangement could allow BSNL and Vi to make greater use of each other’s network infrastructure across India’s telecom circles.
Under the proposed structure, the operators are expected to enter into both intra-circle and inter-circle roaming agreements. This could enable subscribers to access the partner network in locations where their own operator has weaker coverage.
The two companies could also share infrastructure such as telecom towers and optical fiber.
Vi-BSNL Network Sharing At A Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Operators | Vodafone Idea and BSNL |
| Reported scope | Nationwide |
| Roaming | Intra-circle and inter-circle |
| Infrastructure | Towers, optical fiber and potentially other assets |
| Existing roaming | Delhi and Mumbai |
| BSNL towers leased to Vi | ~1,441 as of April 2026 |
| Strategic objective | Improve coverage and reduce infrastructure duplication |
| Reported source | CNBC Awaaz |
The reported nationwide arrangement is the latest development in discussions that began earlier in 2026 around deeper infrastructure cooperation.
Existing BSNL And Vi Cooperation Is Already Underway
The latest development does not represent the beginning of cooperation between the two telecom operators.
BSNL and Vi have already been working together in selected areas. Their intra-circle roaming agreement in Delhi and Mumbai allows BSNL customers to use Vi’s network under a revenue-sharing arrangement.
BSNL has also been leasing passive tower infrastructure to Vi.
As of April 2026, BSNL had leased approximately 1,441 towers to Vodafone Idea, according to information provided by the DoT. The government department has also said that discussions are underway to increase Vi’s tenancy on BSNL’s tower infrastructure for 4G and 5G services.
Existing Areas Of Cooperation
| Area | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Delhi roaming | Existing |
| Mumbai roaming | Existing |
| BSNL towers leased to Vi | Existing |
| 4G tower sharing | Being expanded |
| 5G infrastructure | Under discussion |
| Fiber sharing | Already being explored/implemented |
| Nationwide roaming | Reportedly agreed in principle |
| Spectrum sharing | Discussed as a potential area |
The distinction between existing arrangements, ongoing discussions and the latest reported agreement remains important because the full commercial and technical terms have not been publicly disclosed.
How Nationwide Roaming Could Benefit Customers
For subscribers, the biggest potential benefit is improved network accessibility.
A Vi customer could potentially access BSNL infrastructure in areas where Vi’s own network is weaker, while BSNL customers could use Vi’s network in areas where BSNL coverage is limited.
This could be particularly valuable in regions where the two operators have complementary network strengths.
Vi Network
↓
Areas With Strong Coverage
+
BSNL Network
↓
Areas With Strong Coverage
↓
Network Sharing
↓
Wider Subscriber Access
↓
Improved ConnectivityThe arrangement could therefore improve the effective coverage available to customers without requiring both companies to independently build duplicate infrastructure in every location.
Vi Could Gain From BSNL’s Network Footprint
Vodafone Idea has been working to strengthen its network while facing significant capital expenditure requirements.
Infrastructure sharing could help the operator deploy services more efficiently by using existing towers and fiber rather than building every site independently.
This is particularly relevant as Vi expands its 4G network and rolls out 5G services.
The company can potentially use BSNL’s existing infrastructure in locations where that infrastructure is technically compatible and commercially viable.
Potential Benefits For Vi
| Benefit | Potential Impact |
|---|---|
| BSNL tower access | Faster site expansion |
| Fiber sharing | Lower backhaul deployment costs |
| Roaming | Improved customer coverage |
| 5G infrastructure | Faster rollout in selected areas |
| Lower duplication | Better capital efficiency |
| Additional reach | Potential subscriber retention |
| Network monetization | More efficient use of infrastructure |
Vi’s financial position makes efficient use of capital particularly important as it competes with larger rivals.
BSNL Could Generate More Revenue From Infrastructure
The arrangement could also benefit BSNL.
The state-owned operator has a substantial network footprint across India and has increasingly been using infrastructure sharing as a way to improve asset utilization and generate additional revenue.
As of March 2026, BSNL had leased 11,398 towers to other telecom service providers, generating about ₹1,019 crore during FY2025-26, according to DoT information. It had also leased around 3 lakh route-km of dark fiber to private entities, generating approximately ₹410 crore during the year.
BSNL Infrastructure Monetization
| Metric | FY2025-26 / March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Towers leased to other operators | 11,398 |
| Revenue from tower leasing | ₹1,019 Cr |
| Dark fiber leased | ~3 lakh route-km |
| Revenue from dark fiber | ₹410 Cr |
| Towers leased to Vi | ~1,441 as of April 2026 |
The potential expansion of Vi’s use of BSNL infrastructure could therefore create an additional revenue stream for BSNL while improving utilization of existing assets.
Network Sharing Could Reduce Capital Expenditure
Building telecom infrastructure independently can be expensive.
Operators need towers, fiber, power systems, backhaul, radio equipment and other network assets. Where two operators can share suitable infrastructure, they can potentially reduce duplication and deploy services faster.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has supported greater infrastructure sharing between BSNL and Vi, arguing that collaboration could expand service reach, optimize resources, reduce expenditure, increase connectivity and accelerate 5G rollout.
Standalone Model Vs. Shared Model
| Network Strategy | Capital Requirement | Deployment Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Independent infrastructure | Higher | Slower |
| Tower sharing | Lower | Faster |
| Fiber sharing | Lower | Faster |
| Roaming | Limited incremental infrastructure | Potentially faster coverage expansion |
| Wider asset sharing | Potentially significantly lower | Dependent on technical integration |
For operators under pressure to improve network quality without excessive capital spending, infrastructure sharing can become an important strategic tool.
5G Is A Major Focus Of The Partnership
The potential arrangement is significant not only for existing 4G networks but also for 5G deployment.
DoT has said that BSNL and Vi are discussing deeper sharing of infrastructure for 4G and 5G services. BSNL has also identified several other areas where it could potentially collaborate with Vi, including captive non-public 5G networks, IoT, AI, cloud, edge infrastructure, data centers and enterprise services.
However, these should not all be treated as finalized agreements.
The DoT has described several of these areas as potential avenues for cooperation rather than completed commercial arrangements.
Potential Future Collaboration Areas
Telecom Towers
↓
Optical Fiber
↓
4G + 5G Infrastructure
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5G Captive Networks
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IoT + Smart Infrastructure
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AI + Cloud
↓
Edge + Data Centers
↓
Enterprise ServicesThis indicates that the relationship could eventually extend beyond traditional mobile-network infrastructure.
Fiber Sharing Has Already Started
The cooperation has also moved beyond tower infrastructure.
According to DoT information, a proof of concept has been completed under which nine Vi base transceiver stations (BTS) were fiberized using BharatNet infrastructure. BSNL has also shared data covering approximately 22,500 Gram Panchayats with Vi to facilitate a broader rollout.
This could be particularly important for expanding network connectivity in rural and semi-urban areas.
Fiber backhaul is essential for modern mobile networks because it connects network sites to the broader telecommunications core. Access to existing fiber can therefore reduce the time and cost required to strengthen network capacity.
Government’s Stake In Vi Adds Strategic Significance
The cooperation is also notable because the Government of India is a major shareholder in Vodafone Idea.
The government currently holds approximately 49% of Vodafone Idea after converting certain dues owed by the company into equity. BSNL, meanwhile, is wholly owned by the government.
This creates a distinctive relationship between the two operators, although Vi remains a private-sector company and should not be described as government-owned.
The Parliamentary Committee specifically noted that the government’s stake in Vodafone Idea creates an opportunity for greater strategic coordination between Vi and BSNL.
Ownership Structure
| Company | Ownership |
|---|---|
| BSNL | 100% Government of India |
| Vodafone Idea | Private-sector company |
| Government stake in Vi | ~49% |
| Strategic implication | Scope for greater infrastructure coordination |
The government has therefore become an important factor in the development of a potential BSNL-Vi infrastructure-sharing framework.
Vi Needs Network Expansion To Compete With Jio And Airtel
Vodafone Idea remains India’s third-largest major mobile operator and faces strong competition from Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
Network quality and coverage are central to the competitive battle.
Vi has been working to expand 4G coverage and accelerate 5G deployment, but the scale of investment required is substantial.
Access to BSNL infrastructure could potentially help Vi address coverage gaps without requiring equivalent levels of new physical infrastructure investment.
Competitive Network Dynamics
| Operator | Broad Strategic Focus |
|---|---|
| Reliance Jio | 4G/5G scale and network expansion |
| Bharti Airtel | 5G expansion and network densification |
| Vodafone Idea | Network strengthening and 5G rollout |
| BSNL | 4G rollout and preparation for wider 5G services |
For Vi, any reduction in the cost and time required to expand coverage could help improve its competitive position.
BSNL Also Benefits From Greater Network Utilization
BSNL has been aggressively expanding its 4G network, including through domestically developed equipment.
At the same time, the operator is seeking ways to improve the utilization of its infrastructure and generate revenue from assets that may otherwise remain underused.
Sharing infrastructure with Vi could serve both objectives.
The model effectively allows BSNL to monetize assets while giving Vi access to infrastructure that could support faster network expansion.
Nationwide Sharing Could Change India’s Telecom Infrastructure Model
If the reported arrangement is implemented across all telecom circles, it could represent a significant shift in how India’s telecom infrastructure is utilized.
Instead of every operator building a completely separate network footprint, infrastructure could increasingly be shared where economics and regulations permit.
This could become especially important in rural and lower-density markets, where building multiple overlapping networks may not always generate sufficient returns.
Potential Long-Term Impact
| Area | Possible Outcome |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | Wider effective reach |
| Capex | Lower duplication |
| Rural connectivity | Potential improvement |
| 5G rollout | Faster deployment |
| BSNL finances | Additional infrastructure revenue |
| Vi finances | Potentially better capital efficiency |
| Consumer experience | Greater network accessibility |
| Industry structure | More infrastructure-sharing |
However, the actual benefits will depend on implementation, commercial terms, network compatibility and regulatory approvals where required.
What Happens Next?
The reported nationwide arrangement still needs to be translated into detailed operational and commercial agreements.
Key issues will include roaming charges, revenue-sharing mechanisms, infrastructure access, quality-of-service standards, technical integration and responsibility for network maintenance.
The two companies will also need to determine how shared infrastructure is allocated across different telecom circles.
Key Areas To Watch
- Final intra-circle roaming agreements
- Inter-circle roaming arrangements
- Expansion of tower sharing
- Additional fiber-sharing projects
- 4G network integration
- 5G infrastructure sharing
- Commercial revenue-sharing terms
- Network quality and service-level agreements
- Regulatory compliance
- Potential enterprise and cloud collaboration
The success of the arrangement will ultimately depend on whether the two operators can convert the broader framework into commercially sustainable agreements.
The Bigger Picture
The reported nationwide network-sharing agreement between Vi and BSNL could become an important development for India’s telecom sector because it combines the network assets of a state-owned operator with the requirements of a private telecom company seeking to improve coverage and capital efficiency. The two companies already have roaming and infrastructure-sharing arrangements in Delhi and Mumbai, while BSNL had leased around 1,441 towers to Vi as of April 2026.
The larger significance lies in the potential reduction of infrastructure duplication. BSNL can generate additional revenue by monetizing its extensive tower and fiber network, while Vi could gain faster access to infrastructure needed for 4G and 5G expansion. The government’s roughly 49% stake in Vi also adds a strategic dimension, although Vi remains a private-sector operator. If the reported nationwide roaming and infrastructure-sharing framework is implemented successfully, it could provide a template for more efficient telecom infrastructure utilization in India.
Looking Ahead
The immediate focus will be on the detailed agreements that determine how nationwide roaming and infrastructure sharing will work in practice. The commercial terms, technical integration and network-quality requirements will be crucial in determining whether the arrangement delivers meaningful savings and better coverage. The companies will also need to establish how revenues and costs are divided when customers use the partner network.
For Vi, deeper access to BSNL infrastructure could help accelerate network expansion while managing capital expenditure. For BSNL, greater infrastructure monetization could strengthen its revenue base and improve asset utilization. If the two operators extend cooperation into 5G, fiber, enterprise connectivity and other areas already identified by DoT as potential opportunities, the relationship could evolve from a conventional roaming arrangement into a broader telecom infrastructure partnership
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