Vodafone Idea names Abhijit Kishore as its next CEO amid $22B debt and 5G rollout delays. Asia Cloud reports on his mandate to rescue India’s struggling telco.
India’s telecom sector just got a major shake-up. Vodafone Idea (Vi) has appointed Chief Operating Officer Abhijit Kishore as its next Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Akshaya Moondra when his term ends on August 18, 2025. Kishore, a Vi veteran since 2015, will take charge for a three-year term beginning August 19, 2025.
The move signals continuity for the embattled telco, but also raises urgent questions about its survival amid mounting debt and delayed 5G rollout.
Who is Abhijit Kishore?
Kishore has been with Vodafone Idea since 2015, holding leadership roles across enterprise, corporate, and circle operations.
- Former Chief Enterprise Business Officer
- Headed Gujarat and Kerala circles, playing a role in India’s first 4G launches
- Elevated to Chief Operating Officer before CEO appointment
🎓 An alumnus of Delhi University and FORE School of Management, Kishore also completed leadership programs at IIM Ahmedabad and London Business School.
A CEO Amid Debt and Disruption
Kishore takes the top job during one of Vi’s toughest phases:
- Debt Load: Over $22B, weighed down by AGR (adjusted gross revenue) dues
- Losses: June 2025 quarter net loss of $754M, widening year-on-year
- 5G Rollout: Began only in March 2025, far behind Airtel and Reliance Jio
- Coverage Gap: Just 22 cities across 13 circles covered, vs. competitors’ pan-India availability
- Capex Plan: $6.6B (₹55,000 crore) outlined under Moondra, but dependent on fresh fundraising
The Indian government, which already owns a 49% stake following a 2022 rescue, may once again need to step in with relief measures.
Market Context: Asia Cloud View
From an Asia Cloud perspective, Kishore’s appointment highlights both continuity and crisis:
- His institutional knowledge offers stability in a turbulent time.
- But the real challenge lies in funding, network expansion, and stopping subscriber erosion.
- Without aggressive investment, Vi risks being permanently sidelined in India’s 5G race.
As rivals Airtel and Jio dominate with pan-India 5G and stronger balance sheets, Vi’s survival may hinge on securing capital and leveraging government backing.
Strategic Implications
Kishore’s tenure is less about symbolic leadership and more about a make-or-break moment:
- Can he secure the billions needed to finance 4G densification and 5G expansion?
- Can Vi stop bleeding subscribers as rivals widen the coverage gap?
- Can government support extend beyond lifelines to real transformation?
The stakes are existential. Kishore isn’t just inheriting a title, he is inheriting Vi’s last chance to stay relevant in India’s hypercompetitive telecom market.