BSNL plans Vodafone Idea roaming pact in 12-13 circles

TL;DR: BSNL plans to sign an inter-circle roaming agreement with Vodafone Idea in 12-13 telecom circles, PTI reported on November 7, 2026. BSNL already has ICR arrangements with Vodafone Idea in 2-3 circles. A government source also said BSNL has approval to install 26,000 new 4G towers in addition to 100,000 4G towers already installed.

BSNL plans to sign an inter-circle roaming agreement with Vodafone Idea in 12-13 circles, according to a PTI report published on November 7, 2026. The agreement would let each operator's customers use the other company's mobile signal in areas where its own network is weak.

A government source said BSNL already has inter-circle roaming arrangements with Vodafone Idea in 2-3 circles and is preparing to add another 12-13 circles. The report said the government is the single biggest shareholder in Vodafone Idea, while BSNL is a state-owned operator.

The same source said BSNL is expanding its 4G network and has approval to install 26,000 new 4G mobile towers. Those towers are in addition to 1 lakh, or 100,000, 4G towers already installed by BSNL.

Vodafone Idea is raising debt to support ₹45,000 crore in capital expenditure. The company has raised ₹6,400 crore as a first tranche, including ₹1,183 crore from warrants and debt proceeds through ECB and Indian private banks.