Summary:
Opensignal’s latest analysis shows that Vodafone Idea (Vi) has, for the first time since launching 5G in March 2025, outperformed Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel on key 5G experience metrics, leading in video, gaming, and voice app performance based on user data collected in Q4 2025. While Vi topped experience categories, Jio retained its leadership in 5G download speeds and Airtel led in upload speeds, reflecting differing network strengths and strategies. The report notes that India’s 5G market, now moving beyond rollout to performance at scale with over 400 million users expected by end-2025, is seeing clearer differentiation among operators, and also highlights India’s top-10 global ranking for mobile download speeds in large-area markets.
Data published by Opensignal indicates that Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) has, for the first time since the commercial rollout of its 5G services in March 2025, surpassed Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel across several core 5G experience indicators. The latest evaluation places Vi at the top for 5G Video Experience, 5G Games Experience, and 5G Voice App Experience.
In the 5G Video Experience segment, Vi achieved a score of 73.9 out of 100, edging past Airtel at 73.2 points and Jio at 71.8 points. The operator also secured the highest position in 5G Games Experience with 81.8 points, ahead of Airtel’s 80.2 points and Jio’s 77.4 points.
For 5G Voice App Experience, Vi and Airtel delivered nearly identical results, registering scores of 83 and 82.8 points respectively, while Jio followed closely with 81.9 points. Opensignal’s analysis is based on crowdsourced user data gathered between October 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
When it comes to speed performance, Reliance Jio continued to dominate 5G download speeds, recording an average of 198.9 Mbps, compared with Airtel’s 185.9 Mbps and Vi’s 134.8 Mbps. In contrast, Airtel led the 5G upload speed rankings with 19.3 Mbps, followed by Vi at 17 Mbps and Jio at 13 Mbps.
Sharing insights on the results, Opensignal noted that Jio’s extensive nationwide 5G standalone (SA) network remains a key factor behind its strong overall performance, with the advanced network now handling more than half of the operator’s total wireless data traffic. Airtel, meanwhile, has focused on enhancing user experience through targeted network densification and experience-led optimisation strategies.
The report also observed that India’s rapidly expanding 5G market—expected to exceed 400 million users by the end of 2025—has moved beyond early deployment benchmarks. The competitive focus has now shifted to maintaining consistent performance at scale, leading to clear performance differentiation among operators.
In addition, Opensignal highlighted that India placed among the world’s top 10 large geographic markets for mobile download speeds in its Global Network Excellence Index for the fourth quarter of 2025.
