Vodafone Group is a promoter of Vodafone Idea, the mobile operator sold under the Vi brand, alongside the Aditya Birla Group. The Indian government became the largest shareholder in 2025 after converting spectrum dues into equity.
Ownership and structure
Vodafone Group holds a minority stake of about 16 percent in the listed Vodafone Idea, where the Government of India is the largest shareholder with about 49 percent. Vodafone held 45.2 percent when Vodafone India merged with Idea Cellular in 2018. Vodafone Idea Limited is listed on the NSE and BSE under the symbol IDEA.
What India does for Vodafone Group
India is a large telecom market where Vodafone now holds a minority investment in Vodafone Idea, the country's third largest mobile operator with about 198.8 million subscribers in July 2026.
Investment and deals
Vodafone paid about US$11.1 billion in 2007 for a controlling stake in Hutchison Essar and US$5.46 billion in 2011 to buy out partner Essar's stake.
Vodafone Group's India business
Vodafone entered India in May 2007 by acquiring a controlling stake in Hutchison Essar for about US$11.1 billion. Vodafone India merged with Idea Cellular on August 31, 2018 to form Vodafone Idea.
The government stake in Vodafone Idea rose to about 48.99 percent in 2025 after a conversion of dues worth Rs 36,950 crore. Vodafone Group holds about 16 percent of Vodafone Idea.
Vodafone Idea had about 198.8 million subscribers in July 2026.
Key moves in India
- 2007: Vodafone completed its purchase of a controlling 67 percent stake in Hutchison Essar for about US$11.1 billion on May 8, 2007.
- 2011: In July 2011 Vodafone bought out the Essar Group's stake in the Indian mobile business for US$5.46 billion.
- 2018: Vodafone India merged with Idea Cellular on August 31, 2018 to form Vodafone Idea, with Vodafone holding 45.2 percent.
- 2020: In September 2020 Vodafone won its international arbitration over Indian retrospective tax, and the merged company rebranded as Vi.
- 2023: In February 2023 the government converted interest dues into equity and became the largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea.
- 2025: In March 2025 the government stake rose to 48.99 percent after a further conversion of dues worth Rs 36,950 crore.
Where it operates
Vodafone Group runs its India business from Gandhinagar. It also has a presence in Mumbai.
At a glance
- Home country: United Kingdom
- Global headquarters: Newbury
- Sector: Infrastructure & Data Centres
- Business: Telecom operator
- Role of India: Sales market, Investment portfolio
- India entity: Vodafone Idea Limited
- Listed in India: Vodafone Idea Limited (IDEA)
- India head office: Gandhinagar
- India offices: Gandhinagar, Mumbai
- India headcount: Not available
- In India since: 2007
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