In a bold move to challenge rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi) has started offering truly unlimited 4G data to customers in select circles. This comes as the telco—India’s third largest—gears up for a phased 5G rollout in March 2025.
To be clear, Vi hasn’t launched any new plans. Instead, it has revamped certain existing plans adding unlimited 4G data, making them more desirable and value for money. Fair Usage Policy (FUP) limitations do not apply to these plans and so, you get unrestricted data access at no extra charge. Jio and Airtel still have a leg-up as they are offering unlimited 5G, though.
The rollout is said to be an experiment, according to online reports, with Vi unlimited 4G data available in only select circles like Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, at the time of writing. There is the possibility that Vi might expand in future, but there is no official communication to support this hypothesis yet.
In circles where it is available, Vi customers can choose from a range of plans offering unlimited data, starting at Rs 365 through the telco’s website and mobile app.
In addition to these unlimited data plans, Vi has also introduced ‘SuperHero’ prepaid packs with unique benefits including unrestricted 4G data from 12 AM to 12 PM along with 2GB daily data for daytime use and weekend data rollover facility. Currently, SuperHero plans are available in Maharashtra, New Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, and Haryana.
Vi 5G on the horizon
Vi CEO Akshay Moondra recently confirmed the company’s phased 5G rollout plan. In a new year message sent to customers over email, the chief executive teased a “supercharged network experience” with new tariff plans tailored for 5G due for release in 2025.
While specific details about Vi’s 5G strategy remain under wraps, Moondra has hinted at the possibility of capped or metered 5G plans, to set it apart from Jio and Airtel.
Vi has invested significantly in network upgrades throughout 2024, adding 46,000 new sites and enhancing capacity at 58,000 existing sites. For 5G deployment, it has partnered with Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung.
This focus on network improvement, coupled with the introduction of unlimited data plans and the upcoming 5G rollout, are signs that Vi is looking for a strong comeback, giving Jio and Airtel much-needed competition and customers, a viable option that they can look up to. Watch this space for more updates.
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