Vi 5G Launch In India To Happen ‘Over The Next Few Years’: CEO Akshaya Moondra

Following in the footsteps of Airtel and Jio, Vodafone Idea (Vi) has declared that it will gradually build its 5G network in India “over the next several years,” according to CEO Akshaya Moondra. The company has not provided a particular timeline as Jio or Airtel have but has stated that it would “change consumer experience and boost business performance” with its 5G network.

The two other telecom behemoths are already vying for the top place with 5G. While Jio outlined plans to wrap up by December 2023, Airtel stated that it will complete the deployment by March 2024. While Jio services won’t be accessible till Diwali, Airtel claimed that it is providing 5G services in eight cities.

The formal launch of 5G services was presided over by the Prime Minister at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022 last week. Vi, according to Moondra, has established a wide range of India-specific use cases for businesses and consumers through collaborations with ecosystem stakeholders. The telco has also outlined its 5G intentions.

Vi 5G Rollout Plans

According to Vodafone Idea, it has created a variety of use cases for businesses and customers that are unique to India. “With Vi 5G network and services rolling out over the next few years, I am confident that our 5G solutions will bring a better tomorrow that will transform the customer experience, enhance business performance, and positively impact people, driving digital economy growth in the country,” CEO Akshaya Moondra said in a statement.

Additionally, Vi has partnered with smartphone manufacturers including Samsung, OnePlus, OPPO, Vivo, and Realme to advance the development of the 5G ecosystem. The company is also working with industry partners to showcase industrial use cases of 5G, including setting up connected healthcare points in partnership with L&T Smart World.