Vodafone Idea Expands 5G Rollout in India with Launches in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram
Vodafone Idea continues to make significant strides in its 5G rollout across India, bringing the next-generation network to more cities in Kerala. The telecom giant recently announced that Kochi went live with 5G services on August 19, with Thiruvananthapuram following suit on August 20. Both cities are part of Vodafone Idea’s 17 priority markets for early 5G deployment, driven by their high population density and strong demand for high-speed connectivity.
By targeting these key urban centers, Vodafone Idea underscores its commitment to delivering cutting-edge communication technology to regions with growing demand for data services. The implementation leverages the mmWave spectrum, which the operator acquired to harness the full potential of high-speed 5G services for improved browsing, streaming, and overall user experiences.
Ericsson Partnership Powers Kerala’s 5G Network
To ensure the smooth deployment of 5G networks in Kerala, Vodafone Idea has partnered with Ericsson, a global leader in telecommunications technology. The collaboration focuses on delivering advanced, energy-efficient infrastructure across both cities. With the integration of state-of-the-art equipment, Vodafone Idea aims to provide superior customer experiences by offering consistent connectivity and high-speed mobile internet services.
Adding further innovation to the rollout efforts, Ericsson has deployed its AI-powered Self-Organizing Networks (SON) technology. This intelligent solution automatically optimizes network performance, ensuring minimal downtime and peak efficiency. The use of SON reflects Vodafone Idea’s emphasis on harnessing new technologies to overcome potential connectivity challenges as India rapidly adopts 5G networks.
Strengthening 4G Capacity Alongside 5G Expansion
In tandem with its ongoing 5G rollout, Vodafone Idea has also enhanced its 4G network in Kerala to ensure seamless connectivity across the region. The operator has increased its 4G capacity by 22% since March 2024, bolstering both indoor and outdoor coverage to meet the demands of its growing user base. This development includes leveraging the 900MHz spectrum on over 1,400 sites to improve indoor coverage and the 2100MHz spectrum on more than 4,300 sites to expand overall capacity.
These developments highlight Vodafone Idea’s dual approach to improving connectivity in the short term while building long-term infrastructure for 5G adoption. Speaking about the initiatives, George Mathew, Business Head for Kerala at Vodafone Idea, stated, “With our next-gen 5G alongside our robust 4G services, we aim to provide more options and an enhanced experience to our users. We are committed to systematically expanding our 5G footprint across Kerala, in line with growing demand and 5G handset adoption.”
Conclusion
As 5G technology continues to reshape India’s telecommunications landscape, Vodafone Idea’s efforts in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram mark a significant step forward. The company’s robust plan, backed by strategic partnerships and innovative technologies like Ericsson’s SON, ensures it is well-positioned to meet growing consumer demands. Moreover, its parallel enhancements to existing 4G infrastructure demonstrate a comprehensive approach to delivering reliable and future-proof connectivity, aligning with the broader vision of digital transformation across the country.
