Vodafone Idea (Vi) has approached the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking permission to continue using its expiring 4G spectrum across eight telecom circles as the company works to prevent disruptions to mobile services. Significant portions of its spectrum holdings in the 1800 MHz band are scheduled to expire between December 2026 and March 2027, while the government has not announced dates for the next spectrum auctions.
Vi CEO Abhijit Kishore confirmed the company’s request during its Q2 FY27 earnings call on November 13. He said the operator had formally communicated its interest in continuing to use the spectrum and expected services to remain unaffected. The development comes as Vi increases network investments and works to secure additional bank financing to improve its competitive position in India’s telecom market.
Vodafone Idea Seeks DoT Approval to Continue Using 4G Spectrum
Vodafone Idea’s request concerns spectrum holdings in the 1800 MHz frequency band, which is important for providing 4G mobile services across its network.
The company faces spectrum expiry in eight telecom circles. Seven circles have expiry dates in December 2026, while the remaining circle is scheduled for March 2027.
During the earnings call, Kishore said the company had already represented its position to the DoT and expressed its interest in continuing with the existing spectrum.
He also indicated that operators normally continue using spectrum until the next auctions take place.
However, the government has not publicly confirmed whether it will approve Vi’s request or what financial terms would apply to continued usage. The company has also not disclosed whether an interim arrangement has been formally granted.
The distinction is important because Vi is seeking continuity of spectrum access rather than announcing a completed renewal agreement.
Eight Telecom Circles Face Spectrum Expiry
The affected spectrum holdings cover several important telecom markets, including Mumbai, Bihar, Assam and Odisha.
According to the spectrum expiry details published by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Vodafone Idea’s 1800 MHz holdings are scheduled to expire in the following locations:
| Telecom circle | Scheduled expiry |
|---|---|
| Assam | December 4, 2026 |
| Bihar | December 4–5, 2026 |
| Himachal Pradesh | December 4, 2026 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | December 4, 2026 |
| Mumbai | December 4, 2026 |
| North East | December 4, 2026 |
| Odisha | December 4, 2026 |
| Madhya Pradesh | March 19, 2027 |
The Bihar circle has two separate spectrum entries associated with the company’s legacy Vodafone and Idea holdings, which have different expiry dates.
Similarly, the Mumbai holding is associated with the former Idea business. The other December expiries listed above largely relate to former Vodafone holdings.
These spectrum assets are important for Vi’s network operations because they provide capacity for mobile connectivity across the affected markets.
Why the 1800 MHz Band Matters for 4G Services
The 1800 MHz band is widely used by telecom operators for 4G services because it offers a balance between network coverage and capacity.
Spectrum is the radio frequency resource that mobile operators use to transmit voice and data between mobile devices and network infrastructure.
Losing access to an existing spectrum block could require an operator to reorganise network resources, shift traffic to other available frequencies or make additional investments to maintain service quality.
For Vodafone Idea, the issue is particularly important because the company is already spending heavily to improve its network coverage and capacity.
An uninterrupted spectrum arrangement would help the operator maintain its existing network configuration while continuing its broader 4G and 5G expansion plans.
However, the actual impact of any spectrum expiry would depend on the company’s remaining holdings, network configuration and the regulatory arrangements available at the time.
Vi Has 194.4 Million Subscribers as of September 2026
The spectrum renewal issue comes at a time when Vodafone Idea is attempting to stabilise its subscriber base and improve customer experience.
The company reported 194.4 million subscribers at the end of September 2026. Of these, approximately 131 million were 4G and 5G users, representing around 67% of its total subscriber base.
The company has been investing in network infrastructure to improve coverage, increase data capacity and reduce customer churn.
During Q2 FY27, Vi’s capital expenditure increased significantly as it accelerated network deployment. Its CEO also said customer churn was lower in circles where network expansion had been completed compared with markets where upgrades were still underway.
Maintaining access to the expiring spectrum could therefore support its efforts to retain customers while expanding its network.
Vodafone Idea Pursues ₹35,000 Crore Bank Financing
Another important part of Vi’s turnaround strategy is securing additional funding for capital expenditure.
The company is in discussions with a consortium of public sector banks led by the State Bank of India for a financing package worth approximately ₹35,000 crore.
The proposed arrangement includes ₹25,000 crore in funding and ₹10,000 crore in non-funded facilities.
CEO Abhijit Kishore said discussions with the consortium were close to completion, although the involvement of multiple lenders had extended the process beyond the company’s original expectations.
Vi has also secured funding from Indian private-sector banks and foreign lenders to support its ongoing network investments.
The company has outlined a broader capital expenditure plan of approximately ₹50,000–₹55,000 crore through 2027, with spending directed towards network expansion, 4G coverage improvements and 5G deployment.
The availability of additional financing will be important as the company manages its spectrum obligations alongside infrastructure investments.
Vi Reports Revenue Growth but Quarterly Loss Widens
Vodafone Idea’s financial performance continues to reflect the challenges of operating and expanding a large telecom network while managing substantial financial obligations.
For Q2 FY27, revenue from operations increased 6.2% year-on-year to ₹11,884 crore, compared with ₹11,195 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.
However, its consolidated net loss widened to ₹5,975 crore from ₹5,524 crore a year earlier. The company attributed part of the reported loss to an exceptional charge of ₹462 crore related to the remeasurement of shares earmarked by Vodafone Group entities.
Average revenue per user (ARPU) increased approximately 9.7% to ₹198 from ₹180 in Q2 FY26. The improvement was supported by customer upgrades to higher-value plans.
Higher ARPU is important for Vi because it allows the company to generate more revenue from its existing subscriber base without relying entirely on new customer additions.
The company is also working to improve its 4G coverage and expand 5G availability across additional cities and towns.
What the Spectrum Decision Means for Vodafone Idea
The DoT’s response will be important for Vi’s network planning over the next several months.
If the company receives permission to continue using the expiring spectrum until future auctions, it could avoid immediate changes to network operations in the affected circles.
However, the financial terms and duration of any continuation arrangement remain unclear.
The company will also need to balance spectrum-related payments with its broader capital expenditure requirements and debt obligations.
For telecom subscribers, the key issue is whether the operator can maintain network coverage and service quality while the regulatory process is completed.
The Bigger Picture
Vodafone Idea’s request highlights the connection between spectrum availability, financial stability and network investment in India’s telecom sector. The company needs access to sufficient radio frequencies to maintain its services, but it also faces substantial funding requirements as it attempts to improve its network and compete with larger rivals.
The proposed continuation arrangement could provide additional certainty while the government prepares for future spectrum auctions. However, the DoT has not publicly confirmed approval or the applicable payment conditions. Vi’s ability to secure financing and maintain network performance will remain central to its recovery efforts.
Looking Ahead
The immediate focus will be on the Department of Telecommunications’ response to Vi’s request as the first group of spectrum holdings approaches expiry in December 2026. The company will also need to progress its discussions with the SBI-led banking consortium to support its network expansion and meet its financial commitments.
For subscribers across the eight affected circles, Vodafone Idea has said services will not be disrupted. The coming months will show how the government handles the spectrum continuation request and whether the operator can maintain service quality while completing its planned 4G and 5G investments.
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