Mobile networks in India – coverage, speed, and prices

So you have just landed in India and are ready to begin your adventure. But first, you need to decide how to stay connected. The main mobile networks in India are Jio (Reliance), Airtel, Vodafone (Vodafone Idea), and BSNL, available with local SIM cards and eSIM services like ohayu.com. But which one do you choose to have 5G/4G coverage on your route? Let’s review the best carriers and a newer option: the eSIM. 

Quick look at India’s mobile market

Entering India is like visiting a large and expansive cellular market. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, there are about 1271 million mobile subscribers (April 2026) who use their phones for just about everything. So the market is very competitive.

Internet speed

Opensignal reports that by the end of 2025, depending on the carrier, if you’re on 4G, your average download speeds could be between 14 and 17 Mbps.

However, according to the latest test report from Speedtest in May 2026, the average overall mobile download speed is 126.6 Mbps. That includes super-fast 5G.

💡Remember, these are averages. Internet connections might be faster in big cities but slower in townships or the rural hinterlands.

4G and 5G coverage

Overall, 4G is widespread in the country and covers a large percentage of citizens. Even the new 5G is spreading very fast. By the first half of 2025, it covered 99.6% of districts.

But “available” does not always mean full strength everywhere. You’ll get good service in metros and tourist areas like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Mysuru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. But the more you go into remote hills or very rural areas like the Chitrakote waterfalls and the Thar Desert, the more spotty the signal. That’s why it’s a good idea to look up coverage maps for your route.

The 5G revolution

India is rolling out 5G at a very fast pace. It was launched in October 2022. Today, nearly 250 million users already have access to 5G services.

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel (the main operators) are leading this initiative. The former uses a form of 5G known as standalone (SA), while the latter uses non-standalone (NSA). Another telecom company, Vodafone Idea (Vi), has also started offering 5G in key locations. State-owned BSNL is just getting ready to launch.

Challenges and quirks

Buying a local SIM card involves some formalities if you are a foreign traveler. You will need to provide:

• passport;
• visa;
• passport-size photo (optional);
• local address (such as your hotel).

Activation usually takes a few hours, but can take 24-48 hours.

Official carrier shops sometimes require a local Indian phone number for verification when buying a SIM. This is inconvenient for foreigners, especially if you have no one in India. Therefore, it is easiest to buy a SIM card at an airport.

Major India mobile operators

Reliance Jio

This operator entered the market in 2016 and completely revolutionized telecom pricing. They are known for their low tariffs and for quickly building a vast network.

Coverage & strength

Jio built a massive 4G network and is rapidly rolling out 5G across the country.

You will discover Jio’s presence in virtually every nook and corner of the country. Their recent tests suggest that they are high in availability in most places.

Internet speed

Stepping back and looking at the big picture, especially with its extensive 5G rollout, the carrier has a tendency to outperform its competitors. If you own a 5G phone, you can expect breakneck connection times where “fifth generation” is available.

Plans & pricing

The carrier has various prepaid packages for travelers, with daily data allowance (e.g., 1.5GB or 2GB) and free local calls. It is easy to top up your balance using the MyJio app. Basic mobile plans are relatively cheap, starting from a few hundred rupees per month (100 rupees = ~$1.18).

Popular plans for tourists

Prices and benefits are subject to change and may vary. It is always a good idea to check the latest information when you arrive.

Unique selling point

The operator offers a number of digital apps as part of the deal, including JioTV for live TV, JioCinema for movies and TV shows, and JioSaavn for music. MyJio, which we mentioned earlier, helps you manage your bill and account.

Who is it best for?

Jio is worth considering if you:

• want extensive 4G and 5G coverage;
• value bundled entertainment apps.

Bharti Airtel

It is a well-established and reliable network operator, with a high focus on signal strength.

Coverage & strength

The carrier offers good and widespread 4G connections in urban areas (e.g., Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bengaluru). They are also aggressively expanding their 5G network, especially in cities and on highways.

Internet speed

Jio leads overall download speed, while Airtel wins 5G download speed. Recent reports, including those from Opensignal, place their 5G services as very competitive and often the fastest in most places.

Plans & pricing

You’ll find numerous travel-friendly prepaid packs with daily data and other benefits for a set period. You can easily manage and recharge with the Airtel Thanks app.

Popular Packages for Tourists

Unique selling point

Their service has many advantages and benefits, including free 2GB vouchers on select recharges. They also have other services beyond mobile, including broadband and digital TV.

Who is it best for?

Airtel is a strong option for city travel and 5G speed. It is a strong all-rounder for both 4G and 5G.

Vodafone Idea (Vi)

Vodafone Idea is the result of the merger of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India.

Coverage & strength

Vi has good 4G, but its coverage and 5G rollout are weaker than Jio and Airtel in many routes. Their 5G rollout was delayed until March 2025 (commercially launched 5G in Mumbai), and it is currently concentrated in major cities and areas, slowly expanding.

Internet speed

Unexpectedly, in some recent 4G-only tests (such as Opensignal in late 2024), Vi has shown a strong performance in regional 4G live video, games, voice app, download, and upload metrics. Their 4G signal is strong in covered locations. With their growing 5G network, speeds will increase there, too.

Plans & pricing

Vodafone Idea has prepaid packages that may work for tourists who need data and local calls for a few weeks or months. Vi also offers exclusive benefits such as the ability to carry over unused gigabytes from weekdays to weekends. Recharge is available through the Vi app.

Top packs for tourists

Unique selling point

In addition to mobile communication, Vi offers access to entertainment through Vi Movies & TV and Vi Games.

Who is it best for?

Vi is a good choice if you:

• travel in an area where their local coverage is known to be strong;
• don’t care about having 5G;
• find its specific features, such as rollover, particularly appealing;
• appreciate OTT (streamed content) plans for users.

eSIM in India

An embedded SIM is very convenient for travelers and an excellent alternative to a SIM card. The main advantages are as follows.

• Fast setup. You can install your plan at home and activate it when you arrive in India. This gets you online fast, without having to find a physical SIM card or wait in line.
• No worries about losing a tiny card. With an eSIM, there is nothing to swap physically.

Since buying a prepaid eSIM from an Indian operator can be difficult for foreigners, tourists prefer international eSIM providers instead. Ohayu eSIM offers plans for international travelers in 170+ countries. It is easy to purchase and activate a plan on your supported device. And if you plan to visit several countries in one trip, the Global subscription covers 120+ countries, including India, from $9.99/month.

Mobile networks in India – which one to choose?

Ultimately, selecting the best wireless carrier is a personal decision, based on your travel habits and specific needs. What works for one may not work for another. Budget, destination, and amount of data all matter.

To help you make a decision, here’s a quick consideration:

• If you need extensive 4G and 5G, Reliance Jio is the best. They are also the best if you like bundled entertainment packages.
• Bharti Airtel is strong if you like consistent, stable service and decent speeds in urban villages and towns. They also have extensive coverage and are rapidly developing 5G mobile networks in India.
• Vodafone Idea is an option to consider if their network is strong in places you want to visit. If their extra perks, such as unused GB transfer, are something you’d like, then take them.

Also, for maximum convenience after you arrive, an eSIM is a practical option. If your phone is compatible, an embedded SIM will save you the hassle of finding a physical card.

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Article by Filip Kopycki

Founder’s Associate at Ohayu

Filip specializes in mobile communications market analysis and business research. With a background in economics, he focuses on network performance, pricing, and eSIM adoption trends worldwide.

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