Vodafone Idea (Vi) has officially announced its 5G launch in India, starting in March 2025 with Mumbai as the first city to receive the high-speed network. The telecom operator will expand its 5G coverage to Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Patna in April 2025, followed by a phased rollout across other key cities.

The announcement was made during Vi’s Q3 2024 financial report, where the company highlighted its ongoing investments in network expansion. Vi’s CEO Akshaya Moondra confirmed that the company is accelerating capital expenditure (capex) for infrastructure development, ensuring a steady 5G rollout.

Key Points:

Vi’s 5G rollout starts in March 2025, beginning with Mumbai.

Expansion to Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Patna in April 2025.

The company has tested NSA 5G in its 17 telecom circles since December 2024.

Vi’s prepaid 5G plans start at Rs 299, while postpaid plans begin at Rs 451.

The rollout follows investments to accelerate network expansion.

Jio and Airtel launched 5G in India in October 2022.

Vi aims to compete with aggressive pricing and improved coverage.

Vi’s 5G Testing and Technology

Vi started testing 5G services in December 2024, conducting trials in all 17 telecom circles where it operates. The company has primarily focused on Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G, which utilizes existing 4G infrastructure to provide 5G connectivity at a lower cost.

NSA 5G vs SA 5G: What’s the Difference?

NSA 5G (Non-Standalone): Uses 4G infrastructure, making it cost-effective but slightly less power-efficient than SA 5G.

SA 5G (Standalone): Requires dedicated 5G infrastructure, delivering lower latency and improved performance but needing more investment.

Reports indicate that Vi has tested 5G services on the 26GHz and 3.3GHz spectrums, which are essential for delivering high-speed connectivity and better network efficiency.

Vi 5G Plans and Pricing

Vi has confirmed that its unlimited 5G plans will be available for both prepaid and postpaid customers:

Prepaid 5G plans start at Rs 299

Postpaid 5G plans start at Rs 451

These plans are expected to be competitive in the market, as Jio and Airtel already offer 5G services at no additional cost for existing 4G plans.

Competitive Landscape

Vi is the last major telecom player in India to launch 5G, after Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, both of which started their 5G rollout in October 2022. With Jio and Airtel already covering multiple cities, Vi’s entry into the market will be closely watched.

To compete effectively, Vi is expected to focus on:

Aggressive pricing for 5G plans

Expanding network coverage rapidly

Leveraging NSA 5G for a wider rollout with lower infrastructure costs

Conclusion

Vodafone Idea’s 5G launch in March 2025 marks a significant step forward for the company. Starting with Mumbai, followed by Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Patna in April 2025, Vi is set to expand its network gradually.

With competitive pricing, ongoing investments, and phased expansion plans, Vi aims to reposition itself in India’s telecom sector. However, with Jio and Airtel already leading in the 5G race, Vi’s success will depend on its coverage, speed, and affordability

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