Vodafone Idea’s 5G Rollout: Status, Coverage, Tariff Plans, and Competition with Jio and Airtel

Vodafone Idea (Vi), India’s third-largest telecom operator, has embarked on a transformative journey to deploy 5G services in 2025, aiming to reclaim market share from industry giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. After a two-year delay, Vi launched its 5G services in March 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the debt-laden telco. This 1200-word blog explores the current status of Vi’s 5G rollout, the states and cities covered, the tariff plans offered, and how Vi is positioning itself to compete with Jio and Airtel, with insights relevant for users in Bhilwara and across India.

Status of Vi’s 5G Rollout

Vi’s 5G journey began with trials in 2021, but financial constraints delayed commercial deployment until March 2025. The company met the government’s Minimum Rollout Obligations (MRO) in December 2024, launching 5G in 17 telecom circles on a limited scale. By June 2025, Vi has expanded its commercial 5G services, focusing on urban and industrial hubs. The rollout leverages Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture, built on existing 4G infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with most 5G smartphones and enabling faster deployment. Vi uses 3.3GHz (n78) and 26GHz (mmWave) spectrum bands, except in Bihar, where only 3.3GHz is deployed.

Vi has partnered with global vendors Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung in a $3.6 billion (₹30,000 crore) deal to deploy 75,000 5G base stations over three years, with thousands added by March 2025. Nokia’s AI-powered MantaRay SON optimizes network performance, managing over 1 million cells for enhanced efficiency. Vi’s aggressive infrastructure expansion—adding 100 towers per hour—has accelerated its 5G rollout, supported by ₹24,000 crore in equity funding and an anticipated ₹25,000 crore in debt.

As of June 2025, Vi’s 5G is commercially available in select areas, with plans for a phased expansion to 75 major cities across 17 priority circles by 2026. The company’s CEO, Akshaya Moondra, emphasized a “supercharged network experience” with tailored tariff plans, signaling Vi’s intent to compete fiercely. However, Vi lags behind Jio and Airtel, who boast 148 million and 105 million 5G users, respectively, and nationwide coverage. Vi’s network is still undergoing optimization, with full-scale performance expected to match competitors in 1.5–2 years.

States and Cities Covered

Vi’s 5G services are active in 17 licensed service areas (LSAs), covering key urban centers and industrial hubs. The priority circles include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), and West Bengal. Notably, Vi has not acquired 5G spectrum in Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, North East, and Orissa, meaning users in these regions must rely on Jio or Airtel for 5G.

As of June 2025, Vi’s 5G is available in the following cities, with more expected to join:

• Mumbai (Maharashtra): Launched in March 2025, covering key areas like Supreme Court Metro Station.
  

• Delhi NCR: Expanded in April 2025, including New Delhi and Chandigarh.

• Bengaluru (Karnataka): Launched in June 2025, targeting tech hubs.

• Patna (Bihar): Added in April 2025, using 3.3GHz spectrum.

• Pune (Maharashtra): Early trial city, now commercially active.

• Chennai (Tamil Nadu): Limited coverage in select areas.

• Kolkata (West Bengal): Available in parts like Siliguri.

• Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh East), Agra (Uttar Pradesh West), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Karnal (Haryana), Jalandhar (Punjab), Thrikkakara/Kakkanad (Kerala)**: Confirmed in trials, with partial commercial rollout.

Vi aims to cover 75 major cities by 2026, focusing on high-data-usage areas. For Bhilwara (Rajasthan), part of the Rajasthan circle, 5G is likely available in select urban pockets, such as near commercial hubs, but users should check coverage via Vi’s website (www.myvi.in) or by enabling 5G in their phone settings.

Tariff Plans for Vi’s 5G Services

Vi’s 5G tariff plans are designed to be 15–20% cheaper than Jio and Airtel at entry levels, targeting price-sensitive customers. As of June 2025, Vi offers 5G access at no additional cost on select plans, with a 300GB monthly cap on “unlimited” 5G data, after which speeds may be throttled. Key plans include:

• Prepaid Plans:

  • ₹299 Plan: 28 days validity, 1.5GB/day 4G/5G data, unlimited calls, unlimited 5G data (300GB cap), Vi Movies & TV access.

  • ₹549 Plan: 56 days validity, 1.5GB/day 4G/5G data, unlimited calls, unlimited 5G data (300GB cap), Vi Movies & TV access.

  • ₹859 Plan: 84 days validity, 1.5GB/day 4G/5G data, unlimited calls, unlimited 5G data (300GB cap), OTT subscriptions.

• Postpaid Plans:

  • ₹451 Plan: 1GB/day 4G/5G data, unlimited calls, unlimited 5G data (300GB cap), basic OTT access.

  • ₹1101 Plan: 2GB/day 4G/5G data, unlimited calls, unlimited 5G data (300GB cap), Lionsgate Play and other OTT subscriptions.

Vi’s plans bundle value-added services like Vi Movies & TV, Cloud Games, and Lionsgate Play, enhancing appeal. Unlike Jio and Airtel, which raised 5G plan thresholds in July 2024 (e.g., Jio’s ₹349 plan, Airtel’s ₹409 plan), Vi keeps base pricing lower to attract users. For Bhilwara users, the ₹299 prepaid plan offers an affordable entry to 5G, provided coverage is available.

Competing with Jio and Airtel

Vi faces a formidable challenge competing with Jio and Airtel, who dominate India’s 5G market with extensive coverage and robust infrastructure. By September 2024, Jio had 148 million 5G users across 1,000+ cities, leveraging its Standalone (SA) architecture and 700MHz band for superior penetration. Airtel, with 105 million 5G users, uses NSA architecture like Vi but covers 200+ cities with advanced Massive MIMO technology.

Vi’s competitive strategies include:

1. Aggressive Pricing: Vi’s 5G plans, up to 15% cheaper, aim to lure price-conscious users. For example, Vi’s ₹299 plan undercuts Jio’s ₹349 and Airtel’s ₹409 plans, offering similar data benefits. This could spark a price war, though analysts warn it may hurt Vi’s Average Revenue Per User (ARPU).

2. Strategic Coverage: Focusing on 75 high-data-usage cities and 17 priority circles, Vi targets urban and industrial hubs where Jio and Airtel already operate. Posts on X, like @yabhishekhd, note Vi’s unlimited 4G plans in states like Rajasthan as a precursor to 5G, signaling a customer retention strategy.

3. Network Upgrades: Vi’s ₹30,000 crore deal with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung ensures cutting-edge infrastructure. The addition of 46,000 sites in 2024 and AI-driven optimization via MantaRay SON positions Vi for reliable 5G performance.

4. Dealer Incentives: Vi spends 8.4% of sales (₹3,583 crore) on dealer commissions, higher than Jio (3%) and Airtel (4%), to attract high-value prepaid users. Increased marketing budgets further boost visibility.

5. Value-Added Services: Bundling OTT platforms like Lionsgate Play differentiates Vi’s plans, appealing to India’s streaming-savvy youth.

6. Rural and Semi-Urban Focus: Vi’s legacy customer base in semi-urban areas, like Bhilwara, offers growth potential. Its 15–16% 4G coverage expansion in rural areas supports 5G readiness.

Challenges and Opportunities

Vi’s challenges include:

• Financial Strain: Despite ₹49,000 crore in funding, Vi’s debt remains a concern. Aggressive pricing may strain ARPU growth, as noted by PwC India’s Vinish Bawa.

• Coverage Gap: Vi’s 5G is limited compared to Jio’s pan-India and Airtel’s 200+ city networks, requiring rapid expansion.

• Optimization Time: Vi’s network needs 1.5–2 years to match competitors’ performance, risking customer churn.

Opportunities include:

• Cost-Effective Technology: Vi’s late entry allows adoption of newer, cheaper 5G tech, as per MTN Consulting’s Arun Menon.

• Government Support: Waivers on bank guarantees and spectrum relief bolster Vi’s financial flexibility.

• Price-Sensitive Market: India’s low-tariff market favors Vi’s affordable plans, especially in tier-2 cities like Bhilwara.
  

Advice for Bhilwara Users

For Bhilwara residents, check Vi’s 5G availability via www.myvi.in or by enabling 5G in your phone’s settings (Settings > Mobile Network > 5G). Use a 5G-compatible device (most modern smartphones support Vi’s 3.3GHz/26GHz bands). The ₹299 prepaid plan is ideal for testing 5G, offering 300GB of high-speed data. If coverage is limited, Vi’s unlimited 4G plans (e.g., ₹365 in Rajasthan) provide a fallback.

Conclusion

Vodafone Idea’s 5G rollout, launched in March 2025, marks a bold attempt to challenge Jio and Airtel’s dominance. Covering 17 circles and cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Patna, Vi’s NSA-based 5G leverages ₹30,000 crore in upgrades and AI-driven optimization. Its tariff plans, starting at ₹299 for prepaid and ₹451 for postpaid, are 15% cheaper than competitors, bundled with OTT perks. By focusing on urban hubs, increasing dealer incentives, and expanding infrastructure, Vi aims to recapture market share. However, closing the coverage and performance gap with Jio (148 million 5G users) and Airtel (105 million) will take time. For Bhilwara’s users, Vi’s affordable 5G plans offer a compelling option, provided local coverage expands. As Vi’s network matures, it could reshape India’s telecom landscape, driving competition and innovation.