Business venture Vi is dedicated to shaping India's energy landscape through its operations.
Vi Business, the enterprise division of Vodafone Idea Limited, has announced ambitious plans to deploy 12 million smart meters across India over the next three years, with a target completion date of 2028. This move aligns with the India Smart Grid Mission and aims to accelerate the adoption of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies nationwide.
The deployment will leverage Vi Business's IoT Smart Central Platform, providing utilities with real-time meter control, detailed visibility, and insights into power usage. The smart meters are designed to reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses by improving metering accuracy and minimizing theft and leakage. They will also empower consumers with immediate access to their energy consumption data, improving transparency and enabling better energy management at the individual level.
This initiative is part of India's broader energy infrastructure goals under the National Smart Grid Mission. It complements ongoing national efforts, which as of mid-2025, have resulted in approximately 32 million smart meters deployed across India, signifying a step towards the sanctioned target of 223 million smart meters under government schemes such as the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Vi Business's plans could have significant impacts, including:
- Enhancing energy efficiency by reducing transmission and distribution losses.
- Improving consumer experience through real-time consumption insights.
- Supporting utilities (DISCOMs) to optimize operations and financial health by reducing losses.
- Accelerating India’s smart grid transformation in line with governmental policies and standards.
Vi Business operates a cutting-edge IoT Lab for rigorous pre-deployment testing and certification of smart meters. The company has over five years of experience managing smart meters in India and employs telco-grade protocols for comprehensive data protection in smart meter deployments. Vi Business was the first to deploy smart meters in 2018 and the first to launch innovations like the IoT lab.
Arvind Nevatia, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of Vi, commented on the development, stating that Vi is a pioneer in the smart meter energy ecosystem. Vi Business's plans align with the India Smart Grid Mission and aim to improve efficiency and enhance consumer experience across India with its smart meter deployment.
The smart meter rollouts are aimed at reducing energy losses and fostering innovation in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and IoT solutions. Vi Business has developed structured methodologies for the pre- and post-onboarding of smart meters, ensuring a smooth and efficient deployment process.
In summary, Vi Business is at the forefront of India's smart meter expansion, driving a large-scale deployment that is expected to accelerate digital transformation in the energy sector and contribute substantially to reducing power losses and enabling smarter energy consumption nationwide. The company's commitment to the smart meter energy ecosystem continues with the aim of deploying 12 million smart meters within the next three years.
- Vi Business's deployment of 12 million smart meters over the next three years, aligned with the India Smart Grid Mission, will potentially bridge the gap towards the goal of 223 million smart meters under government schemes like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), further supporting the national advancement in energy infrastructure and IoT technology.
- By employing its IoT Smart Central Platform, Vi Business's smart meters are designed to not only minimize Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses but also empower consumers with real-time energy usage insights, fostering innovation in the energy sector, improving its efficiency, and ultimately driving financial health for utilities (DISCOMs) while promoting smarter energy consumption nationwide.
