Jio Leads India’s 5G Race, Airtel Falls Behind; Voda-Idea Still Catching Up

In India’s growing 5G landscape, Reliance Jio has emerged as the clear leader, leaving Airtel trailing, while Vodafone-Idea is still a newcomer finding its footing. A recent report by network intelligence firm OpenSignal highlights the differences in 5G usage among the country’s top telecom operators.

Jio vs Airtel: The Numbers

Between September and November 2025, Jio users spent significantly more time on 5G compared to Airtel subscribers, even though both networks offer similar 5G coverage. According to OpenSignal:

• Airtel: 5G availability – 66.6%; time spent on 5G – 28%; 5G download speed – 187.2 Mbps (7x faster than 4G)
• Jio: 5G availability – 68.1%; time spent on 5G – 67.3%; 5G download speed – 199.7 Mbps (11x faster than 4G)

These figures show that Jio users not only connect to 5G more often but also stay on it longer, enjoying faster speeds and a more consistent experience.

Why Airtel Lags Behind

Experts point to the difference in technology as the main reason. Airtel uses 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) technology, which relies on the existing 4G core network. As a result, even when users see a 5G symbol on their phones, the data often flows over 4G, limiting the full 5G experience.

Jio, on the other hand, has adopted 5G SA (Standalone) technology, operating on a completely independent network. Utilizing the 700 MHz spectrum, Jio ensures stronger indoor coverage and guarantees that users are on genuine 5G whenever the symbol appears.

Expert Opinion

Silvia Ketchiche, Senior Director at OpenSignal, explained, “Jio’s standalone technology and 700 MHz spectrum allow phones to remain on 5G throughout the session, translating coverage into a superior user experience. Airtel’s NSA setup depends on 4G, causing frequent switches during heavy data use or mobility, which affects overall 5G utilization.”

Voda-Idea’s Position

Vodafone-Idea is still new to 5G, with 5G availability at 32.5%, time spent on 5G just 9.7%, and speeds of 138.1 Mbps (6x faster than 4G). While improving, it remains significantly behind Jio and Airtel in both coverage and usage.

As India accelerates its 5G rollout, Jio’s lead in adoption and technology highlights the importance of network strategy in delivering a true 5G experience, while Airtel and Voda-Idea work to catch up.