Vodafone Idea Begins 5G Trials in Mumbai: Full Launch Expected by Holi 2025

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has taken a significant step towards launching its 5G services by initiating trial runs in Mumbai. This move marks a crucial phase in the company’s journey to introduce next-generation connectivity to its users. According to Vi, the full-scale commercial rollout of its 5G network is expected around Holi, which falls on March 14, 2025.

Vodafone Idea 5G Trials: A Major Milestone

A spokesperson for Vi confirmed the trial phase, stating, “Vi 5G is currently in its trial phase in Mumbai. This marks a major milestone in our journey to bring next-gen connectivity to our customers. During this trial phase, a select group of consumers will experience high-speed connectivity firsthand.” The company aims to test its network’s efficiency, stability, and speed before the full-fledged launch.

How Users Can Access the Vodafone Idea 5G Trial

The ongoing 5G trials in Mumbai are accessible to select customers who receive an SMS from Vi Care or notice a 5G signal on their smartphones. These users can enjoy unlimited 5G data at no additional cost during the trial period.

Requirements for Vodafone Idea 5G Trial Access:

• A 5G-compatible smartphone

• A 5G-ready SIM (Vi’s existing 4G SIM cards are compatible with the 5G network)

• Eligible users will receive an SMS invitation or see a 5G network signal on their devices

Although data usage during the trial is free, if users move out of the 5G coverage area, they will automatically switch to 4G and their data consumption will be deducted from their existing plan. Vi has also implemented an alert system to keep users informed about their data usage.

Vi’s 5G Commercial Rollout Plans

The telecom operator is using the trial phase to gather user feedback and optimize its network. While an official launch date is yet to be confirmed, Vi stated, “We’ll share more about the launch of our 5G services at an appropriate time.”

The company has announced plans to extend its 5G services beyond Mumbai, with an expected rollout in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Patna in April 2025. This expansion will position Vi alongside major competitors like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, both of which have already rolled out their 5G services across India.

Vodafone Idea’s Investments in 5G Expansion

In a bid to accelerate its 5G deployment, Vi signed $3.6 billion (Rs 30,000 crore) worth of deals with global telecom equipment giants Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung. These agreements aim to strengthen Vi’s 4G coverage while ensuring a smooth transition to 5G.

The telecom provider has been actively installing 5G base stations and expanding its infrastructure to accommodate the increasing demand for high-speed data services. Vi has also made significant progress in 4G expansion, increasing its coverage by 41 million users in the last nine months, bringing its total 4G reach to 1.07 billion by December 2024, up from 1.03 billion in March 2024.

Vodafone Idea’s Network Enhancements and Financial Investments

Vi’s Q3 financial reports highlighted the company’s significant investments in infrastructure and service expansion:

• 4G Data Capacity Increase: Up 24%, leading to a 28% improvement in 4G speeds

• 4G Coverage Expansion Goal: Targeting 1.1 billion users by March 2025, with plans to further increase coverage to 1.2 billion (90% of India’s population)

• New Broadband Towers Added: Over 4,000 unique broadband towers added, marking the largest quarterly expansion since Vi’s merger

• Capital Expenditure Increase: Over Rs 5,300 crore invested in the first nine months of FY25, with a full-year target of Rs 10,000 crore

CEO’s Statement on Vodafone Idea’s 5G Strategy

Vi’s CEO, Akshaya Moondra, emphasized that the company’s initial investments in 4G expansion have already shown positive results, leading to early signs of recovery in subscriber numbers. He also highlighted that 5G rollout will further strengthen Vi’s market position and drive long-term growth.