Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 03 October 2024
Vodafone Idea (Vi), India’s third-largest telecom service provider, has officially launched its 4G mobile services in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The new service, branded as Vi GIGAnet, marks the company’s entry into a competitive market that has long been dominated by Airtel and Reliance Jio.
Vi’s arrival comes as both Airtel and Jio have already established a strong presence in the region, offering 4G mobile services for several years. Moreover, both telecom giants have advanced their services by introducing 5G networks in many parts of Sri Vijaya Puram, further enhancing connectivity for residents and businesses.
In addition to expanding 5G, Airtel has made significant inroads in the Nicobar district by extending its 4G coverage to areas such as Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay. Airtel has also introduced broadband services in key locations, including Sri Vijaya Puram and Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), broadening its scope and reach in the region.
The groundwork for these advancements was laid earlier when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Islands Submarine Optical Fibre Cable (CANI-SOFC) on 10th August 2020. This strategic infrastructure has provided the islands with fast, reliable telecommunication services, facilitating high-speed mobile data and broadband connectivity.
Airtel and Reliance Jio were quick to capitalise on this enhanced infrastructure, delivering robust 4G services to islanders and, in Airtel’s case, expanding into broadband offerings. Despite being late to the game, Vodafone Idea’s launch of Vi GIGAnet (4G services) in Sri Vijaya Puram is expected to bolster the company’s existing customer base, while also catering to the island’s growing tourism industry.
With Vodafone Idea now entering the fray, residents and tourists in Sri Vijaya Puram and the surrounding areas will benefit from more competitive services, which could drive further improvements in network quality and data speeds.