Vodafone Idea, BSNL Agree On Network Sharing Across Telecom Circles: Report
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Vodafone Idea and BSNL plan to expand network sharing across India, including roaming and infrastructure sharing, according to a report.
Vodafone Idea is set to expand its network-sharing arrangement with state-run BSNL beyond the existing Delhi and Mumbai circles, according to a CNBC Awaaz report citing sources.
The agreement follows a meeting between Vodafone Idea CEO Abhijit Kishore and BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Robert J. Ravi on Tuesday, the report said.
The proposed arrangement will cover both intra-circle and inter-circle roaming, allowing subscribers of one operator to access the other's network across service areas. The companies are also expected to share infrastructure such as telecom towers and optical fibre.
The two operators already have an intra-circle roaming arrangement in Delhi and Mumbai, under which BSNL customers can use Vodafone Idea's network on a revenue-sharing basis.
The latest agreement would take the arrangement beyond those two circles and could allow the companies to make greater use of each other's existing network infrastructure.
Vodafone Idea, BSNL network sharing: What it means
For Vodafone Idea, the arrangement could create an additional revenue stream from BSNL subscribers using its network, particularly in locations where BSNL has weaker coverage.
BSNL, meanwhile, could use Vodafone Idea's network to extend coverage in rural and other areas without having to build out the entire network itself.
The companies are also expected to explore infrastructure sharing for 4G and 5G services. The Department of Telecommunications had said earlier this month that the two operators were in discussions on deeper network and infrastructure sharing.
BSNL had leased around 1,441 towers to Vodafone Idea as of April 2026, according to data from the Department of Telecommunications.
Vodafone Idea share price
Vodafone Idea shares fell 0.66% on Wednesday, snapping a two-session winning streak. The stock had touched a fresh 52-week high of ₹15.37 earlier in the session before slipping to ₹15.02.
Despite the day's decline, Vodafone Idea shares are up around 15% over the past month and are trading about 1.82% below their 52-week high. The stock has gained nearly 134% from its 52-week low of ₹6.46.
Vodafone Idea shares have closed higher in six of the past 10 sessions, with the strongest single-day gain during this period being an 11% rise on January 30, 2026.
Vodafone Idea did not respond to CNBC Awaaz's queries on the latest development.
The expanded network-sharing arrangement comes as Vodafone Idea continues to work on its network expansion, while BSNL is looking to use infrastructure sharing to widen coverage and improve the utilisation of its network assets.
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Rochelle Britto has spent 8+ years decoding India's markets, businesses, and consumer economy, reporting for ET Prime and Times Internet along the way, covering the stories behind the numbers.
A Mumbai native and perpetual planner of the next holiday, she stays far, far away from the eternal question, “Where are we going next?” When she's not chasing headlines, she's chasing new cultures, open roads, and a bit of quiet in nature.
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