Vodafone Idea (Vi) has strengthened its long-term network partnership with Ericsson in India through substantial 4G and 5G contracts that will significantly expand Ericsson’s presence across the country.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will upgrade existing 4G infrastructure and roll out 5G technology in the telecom circles where it already supports Vi’s network. The Swedish vendor will deliver both 4G and 5G capabilities in Delhi, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, increasing its footprint and market share with Vi.
As part of the deployment, Ericsson will install energy-efficient and lightweight Ericsson Radio System equipment, including mid-band Massive MIMO antenna-integrated radios engineered to deliver improved network capacity, coverage, and performance for Vi’s customers.
Jagbir Singh, CTO of Vi, said: “Ericsson’s energy-efficient 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) products and solutions from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio will be deployed across our 4G and 5G network. These products and solutions are designed to maximise network performance and the benefits of 4G and 5G for our consumer and enterprise customers in India.”
Deploying 5G technology is central to Vi’s plan to provide faster, more reliable connectivity as data demand grows among its subscribers.
Akshaya Moondra, CEO of Vi, commented: “Partnering with Ericsson will enable Vi to modernise its 4G network and rapidly deploy a world-class 5G network. 5G will help us manage increasing data traffic efficiently, deliver secure and reliable connectivity, and enhance the overall customer experience.”
Ericsson’s sustained investment in research and development across multiple generations of mobile infrastructure has consistently placed the company among the top vendors in industry assessments such as the Frost Radar: Global 5G Network Infrastructure Market report.
Andres Vicente, Head of Ericsson’s Market Area Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, said: “5G is a key driver of digital transformation and economic growth. With Ericsson’s advanced technology, we aim to empower Vi to deliver fast, reliable, and scalable 5G services for its customers.”
As India advances its digital transformation, the expanded Vi–Ericsson partnership is positioned to influence the telecom landscape by accelerating 5G adoption and enabling innovation across industries. Ericsson’s technology combined with Vi’s subscriber base can support new use cases across enterprise segments and public services.
Amarjeet Singh, Customer Unit Head for West India at Ericsson, added: “We are pleased to support Vi as it modernises its 4G network and launches 5G services across India. Drawing on our global experience with 5G deployment, we will help Vi transition smoothly from 4G to 5G.”
This expansion arrives at a pivotal moment for India’s telecom sector, where operators are competing to scale 5G nationwide.
Beyond improved mobile connectivity for consumers, the partnership could enable advanced 5G applications in areas such as smart cities, industrial automation, and the Internet of Things, supporting India’s broader digital ambitions and economic growth.
(Photo by Naveed Ahmed)
See also: IMT-2030 Vision: Industry experts outline the path to 6G
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