02 May 2025
India’s Vodafone Idea has announced the expansion of its 5G network to the metropolitan regions of Chandigarh in Punjab and Patna in Bihar, just a month after launching the service in Mumbai. This marks a significant step in the telco’s bid to strengthen its presence in the country's rapidly evolving 5G landscape.
In Chandigarh, Vodafone Idea's 5G coverage now includes key cities such as Mohali, Kharar, and Zirakpur. The company has introduced initial service packages starting at INR299 (approximately US$3.50), matching the introductory rates in Mumbai. The telco also revealed plans to continue extending 5G coverage across the rest of Punjab in the coming weeks.
Looking ahead, Vodafone Idea has scheduled further expansions to Delhi and Bengaluru, anticipated to occur sometime next month. These developments come despite the company’s late entry into India’s 5G race, launching its services in Mumbai only recently, well after competitors Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel had completed their initial deployments over a year ago.
Despite the delayed start, Vodafone Idea reports promising adoption rates; over 70% of eligible users in Mumbai are already utilizing its 5G service, generating up to 20% of the total network data traffic in the city.
“The positive feedback and robust network performance have strengthened our resolve to expand our 5G footprint,” said Rahul Joshi, Vodafone Idea’s Cluster Business Head for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, and J&K.
In addition to urban rollouts, Vodafone Idea recently extended its 5G coverage to 11 cricket stadiums across India to coincide with the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). This strategic move aims to enhance the fan experience by providing high-speed connectivity during the country's premier T20 cricket tournament.
As Vodafone Idea accelerates its 5G deployment, it aims to bridge digital divides and offer enhanced connectivity options across key markets, contributing to India’s broader digital transformation ambitions.
