Vi Vodafone Idea, a prominent telecom operator in India, has initiated the next phase of its 5G network deployment in 23 cities. The rollout includes Ahmedabad, Agra, Aurangabad, Kozhikode, Cochin, Dehradun, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Malappuram, Meerut, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Rajkot, Sonepat, Surat, Siliguri, Trivandrum, Vadodara, and Vizag. This expansion targets all priority circles, with implementation occurring in stages to ensure comprehensive coverage.

The current phase builds on Vi’s recent 5G launches in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Punjab. The company is focusing on 17 priority circles where it has secured 5G spectrum. Customers with 5G-compatible devices in these cities will gain access to Vi’s 5G services as they become available. As part of an introductory offer, Vi is providing unlimited 5G data for plans starting at ?29.

The adoption of Vi’s 5G services has been significant. In regions where the network is active, over 70% of eligible users have utilized the advanced network, reflecting strong user interest and satisfaction.

To optimize network performance and energy efficiency, Vi is implementing AI-powered Self-Organising Networks (SON). The company has also collaborated with global technology providers Nokia and Ericsson to support this rollout.

A Vi spokesperson stated: “Vi’s 5G launch has shown strong momentum; in areas where Vi 5G is live, over 70% of eligible users have already experienced the benefits of Vi’s next-gen network, a clear indicator of positive reception and growing demand.”