Here’s the straight talk: India’s spam problem is a national pastime nobody asked for. Every other day there’s a “Congratulations, you’ve won a car!” text or a “KYC suspended” call trying to panic you into sharing your OTP. At India Mobile Congress 2025 (Oct 8–11, New Delhi), Vodafone Idea rolled out its answer—Vi Protect, an AI-powered safety/security suite meant to swat spam, scams, and fast-moving cyber threats before they reach you.
What exactly is Vi Protect?
Vi Protect isn’t a single app. It’s a network-level defense layer that uses AI to sort suspicious traffic in real time. The suite has two core parts announced at IMC 2025:
1. Voice Spam Detection System – flags suspected spam/scam calls on the fly, with alerts delivered at the network edge so users don’t need a third-party caller ID app. Vi says the system has already flagged over 600 million spam or scam attempts across voice/SMS.
2. Network Defence & Incident Response – an AI-driven backend that detects and neutralises cyberattacks on Vi’s core network, with claims of rapid containment (reports suggest under an hour for active threats). This is aimed more at enterprise and network resilience than just consumer phones.
Vi also highlighted URL/Link protection (phishing link checks) and SMS labeling such as “Suspected Spam” that can show up without users installing anything—again, because it’s enforced from the network side.
Why this matters (especially in India)
India is a paradise for fraudsters: huge mobile base, rapid digital adoption, and too many people in a hurry. Network-level protections are a big leap because they don’t rely on each user keeping an app updated or paying for a premium caller ID. Vi making this an infrastructure feature means protections can scale across prepaid/feature-phone users too—the folks scammers often target. That’s the right problem to solve.
It also signals a broader strategy shift for Vi. The telco has been pushing 4G/5G expansion and a market comeback; adding meaningful safety features makes its network stickier without a race-to-the-bottom on price.
How does Vi Protect compare to rivals?
Let’s call it what it is: table stakes for a modern telco. Airtel and Jio have been building spam controls of their own; Vi Protect is Vi’s catch-up and double-down moment, with the emphasis on AI at the network layer rather than an app. TelecomTalk notes Vi’s approach is similar in intent to rivals, but natively embedded into the network fabric. That’s a good thing for reliability and privacy (less dependence on third-party databases).
Early claims and caveats
· Scale claims: The 600M+ blocked/flagged attempts sound impressive, and they track with the sheer volume of junk Indians receive daily. But consider them operator-reported metrics; we’ll want third-party validation over time.
· Speed: Vi and partner reports talk about rapid, sometimes sub-hour incident response using generative/agentic AI. That’s promising, but the real test is how the system behaves during live phishing waves or large scam campaigns (e.g., mass “KYC expired” blasts).
· Availability & pricing: As of IMC 2025, Vi presented the suite and its pillars; detailed roll-out timelines, device coverage nuances, and any premium/enterprise tiers remain to be announced.
What will users actually see?
· Incoming call alerts: “Suspected Spam” style warnings at the network level.
· Safer SMS: suspicious promo or phishing messages flagged before you tap the link.
· Cleaner links: upcoming real-time URL protection to stop you from landing on fake banking or KYC pages.
For enterprises, Vi Protect’s backend matters more: automated threat detection, faster incident response, and fewer successful takedowns of network infrastructure or customer endpoints. That’s quietly huge for BFSI, logistics, and any sector that lives on OTPs and transactional SMS.
The bigger IMC picture
IMC 2025’s theme—“Innovate to Transform”—was heavy on AI for networks, safety, and fraud prevention. Vi’s announcement sits neatly in that arc, alongside broader 5G/6G demos and cybersecurity talk. Translation: the competitive game isn’t just speed tests anymore; it’s trust. Operators who reduce user anxiety about scams will win loyalty faster than a flashy data plan.
Should you care right now?
Yes—if you’re on Vi, expect more visible “suspected spam” labeling and fewer junk interactions over time. If you’re shopping for a SIM, Vi Protect is a tangible reason to consider Vi, provided coverage and speed are fine in your city. And if you run a business, keep an eye on enterprise packs that bundle this with SLA-style protections.
Bottom line: Vi Protect is Vi getting serious about safety. It won’t end scams—nothing will—but shifting defense to the network where the fire starts is the sensible way to keep more people from getting burned. For once, “AI” isn’t a buzzword—it’s a broom.