The death of Vodafone Idea starting to become a real prospect

Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read has reiterated his vow that no fresh funds would be injected into the Indian joint venture with Idea Cellular, painting a dreary picture for competition in the market.

As it stands, Vodafone Idea owes the Indian Government roughly $7.4 billion in spectrum fees, overdue payments and fines. Bharti Airtel is in a similar position, with both telcos pressing the authorities for relief. To date, the authorities are not budging, potentially undermining any commercial objectives for Vodafone in the region.

According to The Economic Times, Read has demanded the Government waive the penalties and interest payments, while also allowing Vodafone Idea to repay the principle sum over a period of ten years. Only if these demands are met, will Vodafone commit to continue the joint venture with Idea Cellular and push additional funds into the market.

This is a very stern statement from Read and one the Indian authorities should take very seriously. Numerous telcos have already left the market, and while it cannot be held to ransom by another, the competition landscape is looking suspect already.

The main issue here is a dispute over licence fees paid on spectrum assets. The telcos and the Government have different opinions on how much should be paid. This argument has been on-going for more than a decade, hence the ridiculous sums which Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel are being asked to pay. As Reliance Jio only came into existence in 2016, its own bill is much more palatable.

With extraordinary pressures already being placed on the spreadsheets thanks to the Reliance Jio disruption by undercutting existing pricing models, as well as a drive towards modernising infrastructure, this bill is the last thing the telcos need.

For Vodafone, you can see the predicament. There is a fortune to be made in India, but how much pain and expense can the business go through to realise it. The firm is facing difficulties in several other markets also; how many headaches can Nick Read tolerate at once? India might prove to be one migraine too far.