Summary:
Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) has launched 5G services in Chennai, completing its presence across all metro cities and expanding its reach in India’s data market. The company plans to extend 5G to multiple cities, including Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tiruppur, Vellore, and Pondicherry by May 2026 as part of its broader strategy to cover 133 cities. Focusing on high-demand and industrial regions, Vi is enhancing its network with advanced infrastructure in partnership with Nokia and AI-driven optimisation. The expansion, supported by growing adoption of its data plans, aims to improve network quality and strengthen its footprint across key markets.
Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) has announced the rollout of its 5G services in Chennai. With this addition, Vi’s 5G network is now accessible across all five metro cities, along with 50 other locations, further reinforcing its position in India’s data services market.
Earlier this month, the company revealed plans to expand its coverage to 90 additional cities nationwide. As part of this continued rollout, Vi aims to introduce 5G services in Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tiruppur, Vellore, and the union territory of Pondicherry by May 2026. This initiative forms part of a larger strategy to extend its 5G footprint to 133 cities across 17 key telecom circles.
Under this expansion plan, Vi is focusing on strategically important regions such as industrial centers, areas with high data usage, and developing urban clusters across Tamil Nadu. The rollout reflects this approach, covering major industrial locations like Coimbatore, Salem, and Tiruppur; Vellore, known for healthcare and education; Tiruchirappalli, a significant academic and commercial hub; and Pondicherry, often referred to as the French Riviera of the East.
To enhance the 5G experience, Vi has partnered with Nokia to deploy advanced, energy-efficient infrastructure. The company has also introduced artificial intelligence-driven self-optimizing networks to automatically improve performance and efficiency.
Commenting on the development, the Tamil Nadu circle business head at Vi stated that the company is rapidly expanding its 5G network across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, strengthening its presence in key regions. The launch in Chennai, alongside its existing services in Madurai and upcoming rollouts in cities such as Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tiruppur, and Vellore, represents a significant milestone. The official also noted that continued investments in network enhancement, along with increasing adoption of unlimited data plans like Vi Non-Stop Hero, are contributing to rising data usage. The company remains committed to delivering improved network quality as it expands next-generation connectivity to a broader customer base.
