Vi partners with Xiaomi India to offer 5G services to users

A wide range of 18 5G enabled Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have been successfully tested and will be supported on Vi 5G network post launch.

Xiaomi India, the smartphone brand and Vodafone Idea (Vi) today announced partnership to provide its consumers with a seamless 5G experience. This partnership will enable Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone users to enjoy enhanced data experience on Vi 5G once the services are launched by the operator. A wide range of 18 devices from Xiaomi and Redmi portfolio have been successfully tested on Vi 5G and will support the network post FOTA updates. The consumers would just have to change the preferred network settings from 4G to 5G, once Vi launches the 5G network commercially.

The enabled devices include Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 12 5G, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11X Pro, Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G, Redmi 11 Prime 5G, Redmi K50i, Redmi Note 11T 5G, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, Mi 11X, Mi 10, Mi 10T, Mi 10T Pro, and Mi 10i.

In accordance with the agreement, in pursuit of a connected tomorrow and to unlock the boundless potential of 5G in India, Xiaomi and Vi are coming together to empower their consumers with an unfiltered 5G network on their devices. Xiaomi India and Vi have extensively tested the network in New Delhi across Xiaomi and Redmi 5G devices. Vi has been working with technology leaders, domain experts, start-ups and device OEMs to develop India specific 5G use cases for consumers and enterprises.

Xiaomi India remains committed to democratizing technology for consumers across the country by providing them with the best-in-class technology experience at an honest price point.

Vi is one of the major telecom companies in India. It is currently only preparing for the rollout of 5G services. However, Vodafone Idea had not yet launched 5G services in India. Vi's weak financial standing is no secret hence it is the sole telecom provider that hasn’t placed any orders for 5G service equipment and has had trouble paying its vendors’ bills.

Whereas, Airtel and Jio the other two major telcos have already begun deploying 5G. Airtel is deploying its 5G on Non-standalone (NSA) infrastructure and has covered over 500 cities so far whereas Reliance Jio is deploying its network on Standalone(SA)5G network and has introduced its services in nearly 300 cities nationwide so far.

In 2020, Vodafone Idea partnered with Ericsson, Nokia, and Huawei to conduct 5G trials in select cities in India, including Pune and Gandhinagar. The company has also been seeking permission from the Indian government to conduct 5G trials using spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band.

The telco needs money to place commercial orders for 5G rollout with the vendors such as Nokia and Ericsson. Following the government’s decision to convert the company’s accrued interest, which totals Rs 16,133 crore and is the result of the deferral of AGR and spectrum dues into equity, it won't be wrong to expect that the financially precarious cellular joint venture between Vodafone and Aditya Birla Group, Vodafone Idea might soon launch its 5G services in India as now look ahead and evaluate its fundraising options.

According to the most recent data released by telecom regulator TRAI, the telco has 24.3 crore mobile users, accounting for a 21.33% market share.