Leading telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) today announced the commercial launch of 5G services by partnering with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung) in Bengaluru region, one of the key telecom markets in India and a global IT hub known as the “Silicon Valley of India”. Since 2024, the companies have been working together to deploy a new generation, 5G network and modernize Vi’s legacy 2G and 4G networks with Samsung’s industry-leading solutions in major telecom circles of India including Bihar, Karnataka and Punjab.

As part of this collaboration, Vi had already launched 5G commercial services in Chandigarh and Patna in April 2025. Vi has successfully deployed Samsung’s small form-factor, energy-efficient and high transmit power radios for enabling a seamless 5G experience across all the three circles. These solutions offer increased cell capacity and energy savings features to deliver better consumer experience with greener and more sustainable approaches for Vi’s customers.

For this deployment, Samsung provided its wide range of radios supporting diverse spectrum bands, including 32T32R Massive MIMO radios, along with Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions that encompass baseband and software functions known as the virtualized Central Unit (vCU).

The companies have also implemented the nation’s first virtualized Base Station Controller (vBSC), a key network element for 2G services, thereby modernizing its network with cutting-edge software solutions while still ensuring legacy technology and services are supported.

Virtualization of network functionalities enable Vi to streamline network deployment and facilitate easier management, which results in greater efficiency, lower operational costs, better resource allocation control, and increased customer satisfaction. With this virtualization adoption, operators can build software-based and flexible networks more easily, gaining a competitive edge in bringing future networks.

Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea said: “The launch of Vi’s 5G services in Bengaluru as well as Chandigarh and Patna, marks a key step in introducing Samsung as a new partner in our ecosystem and towards delivering seamless, highly reliable next-generation services to our customers. By partnering with Samsung, our endeavor is to offer the best customer experience and provide our customers with enhanced mobile broadband throughputs and high capacity required in today’s digitally connected world.”

Woojune Kim, President and Head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics said: “India, especially Bengaluru, stands at the forefront of the global digital transformation, and we are proud to accompany Vi’s innovative journey in delivering next-generation connectivity to its customers in one of the world’s most dynamic and advanced IT markets. Samsung always thinks a step ahead, anticipating future needs of mobile operators. Through this collaboration, Samsung is fully committed in supporting Vi to satisfy the demands of mobile users and boost enterprise growth with our innovative spirits.”

As part of this support, Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore (SRI-B), the largest R&D centre of Samsung outside Korea, has collaborated with Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Trust (SRST) for donating Medical Kits to Government of Karnataka. These medical kits are prescribed by the Government of Karnataka and will be used by Covid patients in home isolation.

SRI-B has donated 14 Oxygen Concentrators to charitable hospitals working towards Covid-19 relief. These Oxygen Concentrators, which have been flown in from South Korea, will be used by patients from weaker sections of the society. Another 10 Oxygen Concentrators were handed over to the Government of Karnataka.

Samsung India Donates Medical Kit, Oxygen Concentrators and Oxygen Cylinders to the Govt. of Karnataka.  (J Manjunath, Deputy Commissioner [Centre], [L-R] Dr Srinivasa, DHO , Dr Manohar, DSO, Dr Mahesh, DTO, Dr Chandrashekar, THO)

In addition to the aid for Karnataka, Samsung had earlier pledged USD 5 million (INR 37 crores) to India’s fight against Covid-19, providing donations to central and state governments, and boosting the healthcare sector with essential medical equipment for hospitals including 100 Oxygen Concentrators, 3,000 Oxygen Cylinders and one million LDS syringes.

At Samsung, employee health, safety and well-being is of utmost priority. As part of its people’s initiative, Samsung has also announced it will cover the vaccination costs for over 50,000 eligible employees and beneficiaries in India.

SRI-B has extended end-to-end Covid care to its employees, providing tele-consultation with doctors, RT-PCR tests, home packages with remote medical care, food and medical kit for people staying alone, paid time off for recovery, ambulance on call, Covid Care Centre for isolation and hospitalization, if required.