Vi to expand 5G services in 23 more cities across India

Telecom service provider Vodafone Idea (Vi) has announced the next phase of its 5G rollout, expanding to 23 additional cities including Ahmedabad, Agra, Aurangabad, Kozhikode, Cochin, Dehradun, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Malappuram, Meerut, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Rajkot, Sonepat, Surat, Siliguri, Trivandrum, Vadodara, and Vizag. This phased expansion will cover all of Vi’s priority circles across the country in a phased manner.

Vi recently rolled out 5G services in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Patna, Bengaluru, and Chandigarh as a part of the company’s broader strategic rollout in 17 priority circles where it has acquired 5G spectrum. Vi Customers with 5G-enabled smartphones will be able to enjoy high-speed 5G internet once the service becomes active. As a special introductory offer, Vi is providing unlimited 5G data to customers on plans priced at Rs. 299 or higher.

“Our 5G rollout is progressing steadily in a phased manner, and we’re excited to bring next-gen connectivity to more users. At the same time, we’re strengthening our 4G network to ensure a seamless experience for our users. With enhanced indoor coverage, increased capacity, and 84% population coverage with its 4G network, we remain focused on delivering superior digital experiences to Vi users,” said Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Vi.

According to Vi, over 70 percent of eligible users have experienced the benefits of Vi’s 5G network in areas where it is currently available. To enhance network performance and efficiency, Vi has partnered with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung to deploy AI-powered Self-Organizing Networks (SON). This collaboration aims to provide seamless integration of Vi’s advanced 4G and 5G infrastructure while reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability.

In addition to its 5G rollout, Vi has undertaken extensive network enhancements to improve the customer experience. Since April 2024, Vi has deployed 4G services on the 900 MHz band at approximately 65,000 sites to enhance coverage and indoor connectivity. Furthermore, the company added 56,000 sites on the 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, and TDD bands, which resulted in a 35 percent increase in 4G data capacity and a 26 percent improvement in speeds. Vi also reports that its 4G population coverage has expanded by 88 million people, growing from 77 percent in March 2024 to 84 percent.