Vodafone Idea (Vi) is set to roll out its 5G services in the Delhi-NCR region starting May 15, 2025. This move is part of the telecom operator’s broader 5G expansion strategy, covering 17 key priority circles where it secured 5G spectrum rights. Vi plans to bring 5G connectivity to all these regions by August 2025, as part of its aggressive rollout roadmap.
With the upcoming launch in Delhi-NCR, the capital will join other major cities where Vi has already introduced its 5G services, including Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Patna. This expansion is part of Vi's phased rollout plan as it seeks to strengthen its presence in metropolitan and Tier-1 cities across India.
To support its 5G ambitions, Vodafone Idea has outlined a massive Rs 55,000 crore capital expenditure program to be implemented over the next three years. This investment will be directed towards expanding 5G coverage, upgrading infrastructure, and improving overall network quality. The upcoming 5G rollout in cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru is already in progress, further cementing Vi’s long-term growth strategy.
Vi is offering a promotional 5G plan for its customers with compatible devices. As part of this launch phase, users with 5G-enabled smartphones on recharge plans starting from Rs 299 will get unlimited 5G data. This offer is expected to attract more users to upgrade and experience the higher-speed network without data limitations.
To ensure a superior 5G experience, Vodafone Idea is collaborating with Ericsson to deploy advanced network equipment in the Delhi-NCR region. The infrastructure is designed to be energy-efficient and features lighter hardware for improved deployment speed and environmental sustainability.
Vi has also implemented AI-powered Self-Organising Network (SON) technology. This intelligent system automatically adjusts the network for optimal performance based on user activity and traffic patterns. Moreover, Vi is utilizing a Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G architecture, which allows users to seamlessly transition between 4G and 5G networks, ensuring continuous connectivity.
Despite its 5G efforts, Vodafone Idea continues to face hurdles on the subscriber front. In the latest report, the company revealed it had lost 5.41 lakh subscribers in the previous month, reducing its total user base to 20.53 crore. This is a steep increase compared to February 2025, when the company lost only 20,000 users.
The ongoing subscriber decline remains a major concern for Vi as it struggles to keep pace with competitors Jio and Airtel, both of which have more extensive 5G deployments and stronger subscriber growth trajectories.
In contrast, BSNL, the state-owned telecom operator, has shown signs of recovery. After a significant loss of 5.67 lakh users in February, BSNL bounced back in March by gaining 49,177 subscribers. This positive shift brings BSNL’s total subscriber count to approximately 9.1 crore and reflects an early turnaround in customer sentiment.