Vodafone Idea (Vi), India: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has announced no date to switch off 2G and plans to switch off 3G in 2025, according to the sources we checked on 26 October 2026. The table gives each source and how far we trust it; the rest of the page says what this means for IoT devices in India.
2G and 3G status at Vodafone Idea (Vi)
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | No plan announced | none | medium | telecomtalk.info, voicendata.com Vi continues 2G and has not said anything about shutting it (Jan 2024); it opposes a mandated sunset, citing feature-phone users and IoT (ATMs, smart meters, PoS). |
| 3G | Planned | 2025 | low | telecomtalk.info, voicendata.com Phased by circle: 3G off in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Mumbai, Kolkata and Andhra Pradesh by Jan 2024; full shutdown targeted in FY25 (Apr 2024 - Mar 2025). Earlier 2022 target slipped. Date passed without confirmation found. Kore (May 2026) still lists the Vi 3G shutdown as in progress. |
Confidence is high when the operator or the regulator states the date, medium when several independent sources agree, low otherwise. We recheck every month.
What it means for IoT devices on Vodafone Idea (Vi)
- 2G keeps running for now. Vodafone Idea (Vi) has announced no closing date, so 2G fallback still helps devices that roam in India, but new designs should not depend on it.
- 3G works until the shutdown (2025). Devices that rely on 3G should move to 4G before then.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in India: permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is not allowed. Details on the India page.
An M2M.global IoT SIM is not tied to a single network in a country, and its data can reach your cloud without the internet through private delivery.
Other operators in India
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| Bharti Airtel | No plan announced | Switched off, 2020 |
| BSNL | No plan announced | Planned |
All operators and both rules for India: IoT connectivity in India. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does Vodafone Idea (Vi) switch off 2G in India?
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has announced no date to switch off 2G, as of 26 October 2026. Vi continues 2G and has not said anything about shutting it (Jan 2024); it opposes a mandated sunset, citing feature-phone users and IoT (ATMs, smart meters, PoS).
When does Vodafone Idea (Vi) switch off 3G in India?
Vodafone Idea (Vi) plans to switch off 3G in 2025. Phased by circle: 3G off in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Mumbai, Kolkata and Andhra Pradesh by Jan 2024; full shutdown targeted in FY25 (Apr 2024 - Mar 2025). Earlier 2022 target slipped. Date passed without confirmation found. Kore (May 2026) still lists the Vi 3G shutdown as in progress.