Vodafone Idea (Vi) has launched 5G services in Mumbai, India.
The 5G network launch follows a few tough years for the company.
Vi has paired with Finnish vendor Nokia to deploy 5G services in Mumbai.
The company's launch is in line with reports last year that it would go live with its 5G network in March in Mumbai and Delhi. Vi didn't make any mention of Delhi in its latest announcement.
Vodafone Idea chief technology officer Jagbir Singh previously said that Vi estimates its rollout would include the deployment of 5G equipment to 75,000 existing 4G sites over the next three years.
“Our focus is on introducing 5G meaningfully for our users. We have invested in building a robust 5G network by deploying the latest technology," said Singh this week.
"By expanding our infrastructure, we are delivering a network that is ready for the future - seamless, powerful, and built for the demands of modern connectivity."
Vi said it will expand to more locations in India this year as part of a "phased" deployment.
The carrier also reiterated plans to connect 90 percent of the country's population with 4G, though didn't give a timeframe.
Vi playing catch-up
Vi, which is India's third-largest mobile network operator, has fallen well behind in the 5G race to Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, both of which launched their respective services two years ago this month.
The company's CEO Akshaya Moondra said last January that the carrier was "six to seven months away" from launching its 5G network, although this failed to happen.
Vi, which was created in 2018 following the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular, has been struggling to pay its dues with its vendor partners after it was saved from the brink of collapse by the Indian government in 2022, which acquired a 35.8 percent stake in the company.
The financial issues have meant that Vi has fallen behind on payments to its tower and equipment vendors, owing 135 billion rupees ($1.6bn).
In June, Vi issued close to $300 million worth of shares to Ericsson and Nokia as part of the company's strategy to clear its dues. It means that Nokia owns a 1.5 percent stake in Vi, while Ericsson owns 0.9 percent of the telco.
That said, the carrier has struck a number of partnerships with vendors in the last year. Vi signed a $3.6 billion deal with network vendors Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung in September to bolster its mobile network. It also awarded major 4G and 5G contracts to network vendor Ericsson last year.
