Ribbon CEO Predicts Robust India Sales Growth in H2, Fueled by Airtel and Vodafone Idea’s Expansion
NEW DELHI: Ribbon Communications is set to achieve significant revenue growth in the second half of 2024, bolstered by network expansion drives from Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi), according to the company’s CEO, Bruce McClelland.
In an interview with ETTelecom, McClelland detailed Ribbon’s strategic partnerships in India. “We recently wrapped up a major fiber deployment for Bharti Airtel, a key customer for Ribbon. Another major driver in H2 is Vodafone Idea’s renewed investment in its network following its recapitalisation earlier this year,” he stated.
Vodafone Idea’s Network Revival Fuels Momentum
Vodafone Idea’s focus on upgrading its infrastructure has positioned it as an important customer for Ribbon. McClelland noted that Vi’s spending on network expansion in the second half significantly boosted Ribbon’s revenues. He went on to say, “We can benefit from Vi’s increased investments because a significant portion of the middle mile network depends on Ribbon’s technology.”
Vi has raised Rs 24,000 crore in equity funding, with Rs 18,000 crore allocated from a follow-on public offer. This capital infusion will largely support the expansion of 4G coverage and the rollout of its 5G network, aiming to compete with market leaders Reliance Jio and Airtel.
Airtel’s DWDM Deployment and 5G Expansion
Ribbon has also played a vital role in Bharti Airtel’s network development, including a recent long-haul Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) deployment designed to meet growing bandwidth demands. Airtel has already completed its nationwide 5G rollout, positioning itself alongside Reliance Jio as a leader in next-generation network technology.
India: A Key Growth Market for Ribbon
McClelland underscored the strategic importance of the Indian market, which has become Ribbon’s second-largest revenue generator after the US. The company reported $210 million in Q3 2024 revenues, up from $203 million in Q3 2023 and $193 million in Q2 2024.
“Our business across India, North America, and other regions is gaining momentum. As we approach the end of the year, Q4 2024 is shaping up to be our strongest quarter in India, driven by investments in mobile networks and telecom tower fiberisation,” McClelland said.
Untapped Potential in Fiberisation
India’s telecom infrastructure still holds significant growth potential. McClelland pointed out that only 30% of cell sites in the country are fiberised, leaving ample room for expansion to support increasing bandwidth demands. “The continuous deployment of cutting-edge networks and the drive for increased fiberization will propel long-term growth for Ribbon and the telecom ecosystem,” he continued.
With its strategic partnerships and technology expertise, Ribbon is well-positioned to ride the wave of India’s telecom transformation, meeting the evolving needs of operators and their customers alike.
