Shares of Vodafone Idea rose in Friday’s trading after the telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) unveiled a new international roaming plan that includes international roaming benefits as part of select prepaid, postpaid, and enterprise plans. The telco said the plan would enable eligible customers to remain connected when travelling across 170+ international destinations, without having to buy an international roaming pack.
The announcement comes as telecom operators in India try to gain an edge over each other with value-added benefits in addition to mobile plans. For Vodafone Idea, it is also an effort to add more value for its overseas-bound customer base.
Vodafone Idea Shares Gain After Roaming Announcement
Shares of Vodafone Idea gained by 1.5% to Rs 14.32 apiece, as it rallied 1.56% from its previous close of Rs 14.09. The company’s stock reached its peak during the intra-day trading session. Investors were also keeping an eye on the wider market.
The market reaction followed Vi’s announcement last month of free roaming on a few international destinations. The telco is framing the benefit as part of its larger customer-centric playbook.
The new offers are available on select postpaid, prepaid and enterprise plans, with roaming benefits varying based on the plan chosen.
What Vodafone Idea’s Complimentary International Roaming Deal Will Cover
How it will work: With this new plan, eligible Vi customers will be able to utilise international roaming in 170+ countries. Customers will get international data and outgoing calling benefits depending upon their plan on travelling internationally.
Benefit, however, can be availed up to thrice a year for international trips on applicable plans. The telecom operator said customers might be able to save upto Rs 9,000 a year depending on the plan and usage.
The offer is divided among the various customers. However, the services are largely targeted at individual customers, families, and enterprise clients who travel frequently worldwide.
The main eligible categories are Rs 501 or more on postpaid plans, Rs 451 or more on annual prepaid unlimited-data plans and Rs 451 or more on enterprise plans.
Auto Number Preservation For International Customers
A popular aspect of the new proposition is that users will be able to take their existing Vi mobile number while travelling to other countries.
Indigenous solutions for roaming packs, local SIMs and travel eSIMs International travellers have always had the option of roaming packs, local SIMs and travel eSIMs for navigating other countries. But these solutions involve extra spends and also pose problems for users who might want to use their Indian number.
1 Vi’s new plan also puts international connect at the heart of eligible mobile plans rather than as an addon you need to purchase.
This offer was a part of the company’s ‘Vi Pe Sab Hain VIP’ brand campaign. The company’s management said the aim of the initiative is to make international roam abroad easier for customers.
How to Activate Vi Free International Roaming
The relevant roaming benefit can be activated from Eligible customers may activate the roaming benefit via the Vi App.
If a customer is travelling outside of their home country, they can open the app and see what Roam-Free benefit option is available to them and choose the benefit offer relevant to their current plan. The company said eligibility and benefits can vary depending on plan.
Customers are advised to check their current recharge or post paid pack details before travelling, especially the international data allocation, call limits, validity and the number of eligible trips.
Why the New Roaming Strategy Matters
Roaming was an add-on for the mobile users whenever they would travel outside India. In addition to roaming charges, you may also need to buy travel-specific SIM solutions or local connectivity SIM.
Vodafone Idea is trying to change the customer experience by making international roaming available within some plans, instead of requiring customers to buy a plan when they are about to go abroad.
This move comes as the telecommunications industry in India is locked in a fierce competition where the operators are increasingly relying on selling bouquets of services and ancillary benefits to attract customers.
An Indian number also helps business travellers and frequent international travellers to get OTPs, banking alerts and other messages.
Vodafone Idea’s Broader Customer Strategy
Vi’s free international roaming offer is aimed to be a part of the overall advantage of its mobile plans.
Pursuing the customer proposition As the telco is in midst of its evolutionary journey, it has been working on refining its customer proposition. As well as network investments and tariffs, value-added propositions can support customer retention and acquisition.
The new roaming plan has therefore shown that telecom companies are competing not only at the level of price and the product, but at the level of the whole experience.
What Vodafone Idea Customers Should Know
Despite having labeled it as free international roaming, this benefit isn’t being offered to all your customers under the Vi network. Free International Roaming is available only if they have eligible postpaid, prepaid and enterprise plans.
The international data, outgoing calling allowance, trip length, and number of trips may vary depending on the plan selected. Therefore, customers are advised to check their eligibility and benefit limits on the Vi App or official plan information prior to travel.
If you are eligible, the proposition could remove the requirement to make a new roaming purchase and allow you to travel abroad without the need to change your Vi number.
The market responded well to the news of Vodafone Idea shares so it will be interesting to see whether these customer-centric efforts eventually lead to increased engagement and a better bottom line for the operator. The effect of the new roaming offer on the company’s financials ultimately hinges on uptake and overall competition.
