Vodafone Idea (Vi) introduced a new free international roaming service for prepaid, postpaid and enterprise customers in a package to keep connected while traveling abroad without a need for a roaming pack. It spans more than 170 countries so it can be used for up to three international trips per year, depending on the customer’s plan.
Vi said the bundled roaming benefit is designed to make overseas connectivity easier and customers with these plans will save money on international travel.
International roaming is now part of the offering, not as a separate service customers need to purchase before each trip. And the company said eligible users will be able to use their existing Vi mobile number when they travel abroad. This is particularly helpful for travellers who need access to their Indian mobile number for calls, messages, banking alerts and one-time passwords while outside the country. The company also aims to present the service as a means to avoid using local SIM cards or travel eSIMs overseas.
The free international roaming benefit is available in various Vi plans. Qualifying postpaid plans are available at the price of ₹501 and some annual prepaid unlimited data plans are also included. Qualifying business plans start at ₹451. But customers should note that just having a prepaid or postpaid connection is not a guarantee of free international roaming. The benefit is limited to the eligible plans and customers need to check the specific terms associated with their subscription.
The number of international trips and the benefits in each trip depend on the plan. Vi says that the roaming benefit for the customer who is eligible can be accessed for up to three trips a year. International data allowances and outgoing calling minutes also vary according to the plan. So the term “free international roaming” does not mean unlimited data or unlimited calling for all the customers. Users should check the allowance and conditions before traveling overseas.
Vi estimates that customers could save up to ₹9,000 a year through bundled roaming benefits. Real savings will depend on the customer's plan, travel frequency, destination and usage. For frequent international travellers, roaming included in an already existing mobile plan could reduce the need to purchase dedicated roaming packages over and over again. The company is also targeting families and business users who might need to remain connected across multiple international trips during the year.
Customers can access the new Roam-Free benefit in the Vi App. To apply, customers can check their plan to use the international roaming option and activate the benefit for their overseas trip. The activation process is designed to keep the customer with the same Vi number while using the applicable roaming benefits abroad.
As Indian telecom companies bundle more digital and connectivity services (including international roaming) into premium plans, the announcement comes as they move to a more global market. With international roaming in some of the plans, Vi wants to solve the common problems faced by international travellers - the cost of roaming, the inconvenience of switching SIM cards and the need to keep access to an Indian number.
🚨 Vodafone Idea announces free international roaming plans up to three trips per year. pic.twitter.com/inPPtc013y
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) September 26, 2026
As a traveller on a trip, eligibility and usage limits are plan-specific. Before departure, users should check whether their plan is eligible, which countries are covered, how much international data and calling allowance is included, and how many trips can be used during the year. With this new proposition, Vodafone Idea is providing an even greater opportunity to realise the benefits of the selected plans and to provide international travellers with a pathway for mobile connection abroad.
