It's turnaround time for Vi: Birla

Post-AGR relief, focus to shift from survival to revival

- URVI MALVANIA

ADITYA BIRLA GROUP Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla on Wednesday said Vodafone Idea can finally move out of survival mode and begin planning for sustainable growth after the long-running adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dispute was resolved, marking what he described as a structural reset for the company and the wider telecom sector.

In his 'My Reflections 2025-2026' note, Birla said regulatory clarity on AGR has removed the single-biggest uncertainty hanging over the business for years, allowing the operator to recalibrate its strategy beyond short-term firefighting. He described the development as a decisive break from the past, stating that the operating environment had fundamentally changed.

"For the first time in years, the fog has cleared, allowing the business to look beyond survival, and focus on sustainable growth. The Vodafone Idea experience underlines my belief that 'tough times don't last, tough companies do," Birla said.