Vodafone Idea, one of the key players in India’s telecommunications landscape, has embarked on 5G trials in Delhi. This comes on the heels of their previous launches in Mumbai, Patna, and Chandigarh. The trials are initially covering a limited number of users, who are already reporting impressive download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps.
The company’s strategy involves a phased rollout across its 17 licensed circles. Although Vodafone Idea entered the 5G arena later than its competitors, this has allowed them to leverage state-of-the-art technology. The company is implementing advanced, energy-efficient 5G infrastructure, including disaggregated Radio Access Network (RAN) and AI-driven optimization tools. This approach aims at cost efficiency and better network performance.
Earlier in 2025, Vodafone Idea partnered with Samsung to enhance its 5G infrastructure in Chandigarh and Patna. They have deployed an AI-powered Self-Organizing Network system, which automates and refines network performance to deliver a seamless customer experience.
The telco’s cautious but deliberate strategy also extends to the sporting realm. They successfully launched 5G in 11 major cricket stadiums across India, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. This extended reach showcases their commitment to delivering high-speed connectivity at large public gatherings.
Vodafone Idea rolled out its commercial 5G services in Mumbai in March 2025, nearly two and a half years behind rivals Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm. This delay has inadvertently provided them the advantage of using more advanced technologies, thus potentially reducing costs by adopting Disaggregated RAN systems.
The company is determined to broaden its 5G footprint in a strategic manner across India. Their goal is to enhance 4G coverage to 90% of the population by mid-2025, up from the current 77%. This is part of a broader revival strategy that also included raising substantial funds to counteract subscriber losses through improved network access.
As a joint venture between the UK’s Vodafone Group and India’s Aditya Birla Group, Vodafone Idea is reinforcing its market position by focusing on asset-rich partnerships. It has secured deals worth $3.6 billion with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung for the supply of network equipment over three years.
Moreover, the company has strengthened its financial standing by converting spectrum auction dues to equity shares, thereby increasing the Indian government’s stake to 48.99%. This decision was enacted under a mandate by the Ministry of Communications, reflecting a strategic step towards financial stability and growth.