To target the market in a strategic way, Vodafone and Idea has unified into a new brand – Vi (read as ‘We’). Aptly using the initials of both the former brands symbolizing the unification of both brands, the name is quirky and simpler. A virtual conference was hosted to announce the news, it was stated that the new brand is designed to target wide spectrum of consumers and providing them the best of technology for the digital era.
Two years earlier, on August 31, 2018, both the companies announced a merger and the current announcement of the new unified brand is the final stage of integration. The new branding has been updated on the website and app, and will soon make its way to all the products.
Ravinder Takkar, MD and CEO at Vodafone Idea Limited, said, “Vodafone Idea came together as a merged entity two years ago. We have since then focusses on integrating two large networks, our people, and processes. And today I am delighted to present Vi, an brand that will bring important meaning to lives of our customers. Indians are optimistic and want to get ahead in life. They would love a credible partner to help them on this journey. Vi’s positioning is built around this promise and will focus on meeting the customer needs to help them thrive.”
Takkar added that Vi not only marks the completion of the largest telecom merger in the world, but kicks off a journey to bring “world class digital experience” to 1 billion Indians on 4G network. The deployment of many principles of 5G architecture has helped the brand become a “future-fit, digital network” for the customers.
In order to attract the customers early on its track, company also announced a ‘Happy Surprises’ program that rewards people with daily prizes for spotting the new logo in the Vi app.
It will be interesting to see how Jio and Vi will go head to head for the market share, as Jio is currently a market leader for 3 years now with its unbeatable offerings for the price.