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Vodafone Idea Expands 5G Coverage to Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Vellore
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has announced the launch of its 5G network in the Tamil Nadu cities of Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Vellore, following earlier rollouts in Chennai, Puducherry, Trichy and Salem. The expansion is part of the operator’s broader plan to extend high‑speed connectivity to high‑data‑consumption areas across the state.
Vi, which merged Vodafone India and Idea Cellular in 2018, is the country’s third‑largest mobile operator with 192.8 million subscribers as of 2026. The company has been deploying 5G infrastructure across India since late 2023, with commercial service expected to launch nationwide in March 2025. The latest rollout phase adds three key industrial and service hubs in Tamil Nadu.
The company said the new 5G sites will target “high data consumption centres as well as areas with significant footfall including key tourism and commercial hubs” to provide a consistent and enhanced network experience for users. The expansion is aimed at upgrading regional network infrastructure to meet the growing demand for high‑speed connectivity.
Speaking at the launch, Sai Venkataraman, Circle Business Head – Tamil Nadu, said: “We are accelerating the expansion of Vi’s 5G network as we strengthen our footprint across key markets. Following our launch in Chennai, Union Territory of Pondicherry, Trichy and Salem, the rollout in Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Vellore mark important steps in this journey. Our expansion is guided by a clear focus on prioritising high demand locations spanning high data consumption centres as well as areas with significant footfall including key tourism and commercial hubs ensuring a consistent and enhanced network experience for our users.”
Coimbatore, the state’s second‑largest city, is a major textile and manufacturing centre. Tiruppur is the world’s largest knitwear exporter, contributing roughly 54 % of India’s textile exports. Vellore is a regional hub for healthcare and education, home to the Christian Medical College and the Vellore Institute of Technology. All three cities generate substantial data traffic from residents, businesses and visitors.
The rollout will involve the installation of new 5G base stations and the upgrade of existing 4G sites. According to a report on Nokia’s delivery of 5G equipment to Vi, the operator has completed deliveries for over 60,000 sites and will deploy thousands of new 4G sites by March 2025.
Vi’s expansion into these cities positions it to compete more directly with other national operators such as Airtel and Reliance Jio, both of which have announced aggressive 5G plans. The move also aligns with the Indian government’s 5G rollout strategy, which prioritises high‑density urban areas and industrial corridors.
The company has not yet released pricing details for its 5G plans in the new markets, but it has indicated that both prepaid and post‑paid customers will be able to access the service once the network is live.
As of now, Vi’s 5G coverage remains limited to a handful of cities, with the operator targeting a wider national rollout in the coming months. The company’s next steps will likely involve further infrastructure upgrades and the launch of commercial 5G services across additional urban centres.
The expansion to Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Vellore marks a significant milestone in Vi’s 5G journey, reinforcing its presence in Tamil Nadu’s key economic hubs and setting the stage for broader coverage across India.
Vi, which merged Vodafone India and Idea Cellular in 2018, is the country’s third‑largest mobile operator with 192.8 million subscribers as of 2026. The company has been deploying 5G infrastructure across India since late 2023, with commercial service expected to launch nationwide in March 2025. The latest rollout phase adds three key industrial and service hubs in Tamil Nadu.
The company said the new 5G sites will target “high data consumption centres as well as areas with significant footfall including key tourism and commercial hubs” to provide a consistent and enhanced network experience for users. The expansion is aimed at upgrading regional network infrastructure to meet the growing demand for high‑speed connectivity.
Speaking at the launch, Sai Venkataraman, Circle Business Head – Tamil Nadu, said: “We are accelerating the expansion of Vi’s 5G network as we strengthen our footprint across key markets. Following our launch in Chennai, Union Territory of Pondicherry, Trichy and Salem, the rollout in Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Vellore mark important steps in this journey. Our expansion is guided by a clear focus on prioritising high demand locations spanning high data consumption centres as well as areas with significant footfall including key tourism and commercial hubs ensuring a consistent and enhanced network experience for our users.”
Coimbatore, the state’s second‑largest city, is a major textile and manufacturing centre. Tiruppur is the world’s largest knitwear exporter, contributing roughly 54 % of India’s textile exports. Vellore is a regional hub for healthcare and education, home to the Christian Medical College and the Vellore Institute of Technology. All three cities generate substantial data traffic from residents, businesses and visitors.
The rollout will involve the installation of new 5G base stations and the upgrade of existing 4G sites. According to a report on Nokia’s delivery of 5G equipment to Vi, the operator has completed deliveries for over 60,000 sites and will deploy thousands of new 4G sites by March 2025.
Vi’s expansion into these cities positions it to compete more directly with other national operators such as Airtel and Reliance Jio, both of which have announced aggressive 5G plans. The move also aligns with the Indian government’s 5G rollout strategy, which prioritises high‑density urban areas and industrial corridors.
The company has not yet released pricing details for its 5G plans in the new markets, but it has indicated that both prepaid and post‑paid customers will be able to access the service once the network is live.
As of now, Vi’s 5G coverage remains limited to a handful of cities, with the operator targeting a wider national rollout in the coming months. The company’s next steps will likely involve further infrastructure upgrades and the launch of commercial 5G services across additional urban centres.
The expansion to Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Vellore marks a significant milestone in Vi’s 5G journey, reinforcing its presence in Tamil Nadu’s key economic hubs and setting the stage for broader coverage across India.
