We Are Not Not Worried About RIL’s 4G Call: Vodafone Global Head

Vodafone Global Head Vittorio Colao has said that he is not worried about competition from Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, which is likely to start 4G services soon. He was also optimistic about the Indian market following the change of government at the Centre.

Talking about Reliance’s 4G services and the competition it may post to Vodafone, which did not bid for 4G licence, Colao said the company was seeing significant growth in 3G data services. “I wish Reliance all success and I am not worried by its entry. We will be good competitors. You can already do most things on 3G… our commercial success proves, we are right (in our strategy).”

“I am less schizophrenic now. I am more optimistic,” he said, however, he also added that the political will needs to translate into action soon. On being asked whether Vodafone would enter into an agreement with the government on the issue of tax, he said, “You can never rule out anything in an arbitration process because it is a mechanism for finding a private solution to the dispute. So, nothing can be ruled out.”

It’s interesting to note that Vodafone is facing a tax liability of more than Rs 11,000 crore in India.