Vodafone Idea Ltd (Vi) has appointed Manoj Murali as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective October 19, 2026, bringing an executive with more than 25 years of experience across telecom and mobility businesses into a key operational role.
The appointment was approved by the company’s board on October 16, following a recommendation from its Nomination and Remuneration Committee, according to a regulatory filing. Murali, 55, was most recently Chief Business Officer at Ola Electric and has previously held roles at Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
His appointment comes as Vi continues to compete in India’s telecom market, where operators face pressure to improve network quality, retain subscribers and grow average revenue per user (ARPU).
- From Ola Electric to Vodafone Idea
Murali joined Ola Electric as Chief Business Officer in July 2026, following a stint as Regional Business Head - West at Reliance Jio from December 2024 to June 2026, according to the career details cited in the reports.
He also spent more than two decades at Bharti Airtel, gaining experience across telecom operations and business management. His background spans mobile and broadband services, direct-to-home television, payments banking, mobile commerce and digital businesses.
Vodafone Idea said Murali has led business turnarounds involving sales, marketing, distribution, operations and customer experience across India and Africa. He holds an MBA from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management in Pune and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Poona.
- COO Appointment Follows CEO Transition
Vi appointed Abhijit Kishore as its Chief Executive Officer in August 2025, after he served as COO. Murali’s appointment fills the operational leadership position following Kishore’s elevation.
The COO role will be important as Vi works to strengthen its operations and compete with larger rivals. Executing network expansion, improving customer experience and coordinating sales and distribution will be central to its efforts to stabilise the business.
Murali’s experience across two major telecom operators could prove relevant as Vi looks to improve execution. However, the impact of the appointment will depend on the company’s operational priorities and its ability to translate them into stronger subscriber retention and revenue performance.
Vi shares closed 0.56% higher at Rs 12.59 on the NSE on October 16, according to the supplied market data. The appointment itself does not establish any immediate change in the company’s financial outlook.
