Vodafone Idea has recently initiated trials for its 5G services in India
Indian telco Vodafone Idea is preparing to launch its 5G mobile broadband services in March, with competitively priced plans aimed at regaining market share from rival operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, local newspaper The Economic Times reported.
Both telcos already have nationwide 5G networks. As of the end of September, Jio and Airtel reported 148 million and 105 million 5G users, respectively.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the operator’s initial rollout will likely focus on India’s top 75 cities across its 17 priority circles, targeting high data-consumption industrial hubs as well.
Industry analysts predict Vodafone Idea’s 5G plans could be priced up to 15% lower at entry levels compared to Jio and Airtel’s current 5G offerings, potentially sparking a price competition in the domestic telecom sector.
“We are preparing to launch 5G services and are committed to delivering exceptional value and performance,” a Vodafone Idea spokesperson said. The company plans to leverage its adequate and competitive spectrum holdings in its priority markets to expand 4G coverage and launch 5G in key cities as quickly as possible, the spokesperson added.
Vodafone Idea’s CEO Akshaya Moondra has previously indicated that the company may set its 5G pricing below its larger competitors. A final decision on pricing is expected closer to the launch date, as stated during the carrier’s Q1 FY25 earnings call.
Sources familiar with Vodafone Idea’s network development plans revealed that the telco will initially deploy 5G using a combination of 3.5 GHz and 1,800 MHz spectrum.
Vodafone Idea has recently initiated trials for its 5G services in India. The 5G trials are limited to 17 telecom circles and are not yet commercially available.
The cities included in the trial are Jaipur (Rajasthan), Karnal (Haryana), Kolkata (West Bengal), Thrikkakara, Kakkanad (Kerala), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh East), Agra (Uttar Pradesh West), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Siliguri (West Bengal), Patna (Bihar), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Jalandhar (Punjab), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Pune (Maharashtra) and Delhi.
The 5G trials by Vodafone Idea are accessible to both prepaid and postpaid customers and are operating on the 3.3 GHz and 26 GHz spectrum bands.
