Vodafone Idea to Launch 5G in 17 Circles by August

19 May 2025 CW Team

Vodafone Idea has announced it will roll out its 5G services across all 17 of its priority telecom circles by August 2025. The operator also confirmed that its commercial 5G services will go live in Delhi NCR from 15 May, following earlier launches in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Patna.

The company has prioritised investment in 17 of India’s 22 telecom circles—including Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and both Uttar Pradesh East and West—for several quarters now.

For the Delhi NCR launch, Vodafone Idea has partnered with Ericsson to deploy 5G infrastructure designed for energy efficiency and lightweight performance. The network will operate on a non-standalone (NSA) 5G architecture, enabling seamless handovers between 4G and 5G networks. The operator has also integrated AI-powered self-organising network (SON) technology to enhance network performance.

The rollout is part of a planned Rs 550 billion (£5.3 billion) capital expenditure over the next three years. Bengaluru and Mysuru are the next cities in line for launch, with 5G deployment underway in other key regions.

In Mumbai—the first city to receive Vodafone Idea’s commercial 5G—around 70 per cent of eligible users have already started using the service, and nearly 20 per cent of the telco’s data traffic is now being carried on the 5G network.

Vodafone Idea’s introductory 5G offer includes unlimited data for users on 5G-enabled devices, with plans starting from Rs 299 (£2.90).

Earlier this week, the company also announced that its retail footprint has expanded to 2,500 outlets across India. This includes 500 directly operated flagship Vi Stores and 2,000 partner-driven mini-stores, aimed at improving customer accessibility and support.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..