Vodafone Idea (Vi) has expanded its 5G coverage to 23 new cities across India, furthering its phased rollout strategy for next-generation mobile services. The latest deployment includes major urban hubs like Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, and Visakhapatnam, significantly widening Vi’s 5G presence beyond its initial launch cities.
New Cities on the 5G Map
After launching 5G in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Patna, Vi’s newest expansion includes cities such as Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Kozhikode, Kochi, Dehradun, Indore, Madurai, Meerut, Nagpur, Nashik, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, and Thiruvananthapuram. The rollout also includes smaller but strategically important locations like Malappuram, Sonepat, Siliguri, and Agra.
Vi confirmed that customers with 5G-enabled smartphones in these areas will begin receiving access to high-speed data as services go live. As part of the introductory phase, Vi is offering unlimited 5G data on prepaid and postpaid plans starting at ₹299.
Parallel Boost to 4G Infrastructure
While 5G grabs attention, Vi has also focused on strengthening its 4G network. The telecom operator revealed that it has upgraded over 65,000 sites with 900 MHz spectrum, improving indoor connectivity and rural coverage. Additionally, more than 56,000 sites now support 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, and TDD bands, leading to a 35 percent boost in data capacity and a 26 percent improvement in 4G speeds.
This strategic dual-network expansion reflects Vi’s commitment to offering consistent and reliable connectivity for existing users, even as it pushes forward with 5G adoption.
Scaling Up with New Infrastructure
Vi also announced its plans to install 1 lakh new mobile towers over the next six months to support the increasing data demand and network expansion. Despite financial constraints in recent years, the operator’s latest moves signal its intent to remain competitive in India’s evolving telecom sector.
Vi has acquired 5G spectrum in 17 of India’s 22 telecom circles, positioning itself for broader coverage and deeper penetration in both urban and rural regions. The rollout comes as demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity continues to rise across industries and consumers alike.
