Srinagar: More than one-fifth of Vodafone Idea’s (Vi) 197.2 million reported users are inactive, according to a study that raises questions about the telecoms real subscriber strength.
The report shows that only 154.7 million users are active, and Vi’s actual usage levels, such as voice minutes and data consumption are significantly lower than industry leaders Jio and Airtel. While Vi’s reported ARPU stands at ₹167, the figure rises to ₹209 when calculated only on active users, bringing it closer to competitors but highlighting how inactive SIMs distort revenue metrics.
The study also reveals major gaps in user engagement. Vi’s voice usage averages 585 minutes per month, nearly 30% below active user peers, and its data usage stands at 24GB, lower than Airtel’s 27.6GB and Jio’s 24.6GB. Analysts say this weak engagement explains Vi’s slow revenue growth, even as the company continues to invest in network upgrades. Though Vi has recently begun stabilizing subscriber losses, the findings suggest that improving active user participation will be critical for any meaningful turnaround.
