{{Short description|Indian telecommunications company}} {{About|the local mobile network operator in India|the global telecommunication brand|Bharti Airtel}} {{Distinguish|Aircel}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{use Indian English|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox company | name = Airtel India | trading_name = Airtel | type = Subsidiary | logo = Bharti Airtel Logo.svg | logo_size = 150px | foundation = {{Start date and age|1995|07|07|df=y}}<ref name="airtel.in">{{cite web |url=http://www.airtel.in/about-bharti/investor-relations/company-profile/fact-sheet/ |title=Fact Sheet |publisher=Airtel |access-date=30 January 2015 |archive-date=7 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107091228/http://www.airtel.in/about-bharti/investor-relations/company-profile/fact-sheet |url-status=live }}</ref> | founder = Sunil Mittal | industry = Telecommunications | location = Bharti Crescent<br>1, Nelson Mandela Road, New Delhi, India<ref name="airtel.in"/> | area_served = India | key_people = Sunil Mittal<br> {{small|(chairman)}}<br>Gopal Vittal<br>{{small|(MD & CEO)}} | subsid = Airtel digital TV | products = {{ubl|Fixed-line telephone|Mobile telephony|Broadband|Satellite television| Payments bank| Digital television|Internet television|IPTV}} | parent = Bharti Airtel | homepage = {{URL|https://airtel.in}} }}
'''Airtel India''' is an Indian telecommunications company that provides mobile network services, broadband, fixed-line, and digital TV (DTH) services in India and several other countries. It operates under its parent company, Bharti Airtel. Currently, Airtel provides 5G, 4G and 4G+ services all over India. Its 6G service is in the works.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Aditya |date=2024-12-10 |title=What Can We Expect From 6G Network? Unveiling Next-Gen Connectivity |url=https://www.airtel.in/blog/postpaid/what-can-we-expect-from-6g-network-unveiling-next-gen-connectivity/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Airtel |language=en-US}}</ref> It is the second largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in India.<ref name="trai">{{cite web|url=https://main.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.40of2019.pdf|title=Press Release on Telecom Subscription Data as on 31 March, 2019|date=21 May 2019|publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531194435/https://main.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.40of2019.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
It is a direct subsidiary of Bharti Airtel. Its key subsidiaries are Bharti Hexacom, which provides telecom services only in Rajasthan and the Northeast region of India, and Bharti Telemedia which provides Direct-to-Home (DTH) services. Additionally, it relies on Indus Towers for passive telecom infrastructure solutions, including telecom equipment and tower infrastructure.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=12424600 | work=Bloomberg | title=Bharti Hexacom Limited: Private Company Information}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://in.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=BHRI.NS | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712200126/http://in.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=BHRI.NS | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 July 2015 |publisher=Reuters|access-date=29 December 2015|title=Profile: Bharti Infratel Ltd (BHRI.NS)}}</ref> Currently offered services include fixed-line broadband, and voice services depending upon the country of operation. Airtel had also rolled out its VoLTE technology across all Indian telecom circles.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/airtel-volte-services-2017-launch-rivalling-reliance-jio-1722991|title=Airtel Plans to Launch Its 4G VoLTE Services Later This Year, Says CEO |work=NDTV Gadgets360.com |date=11 July 2017 |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710151649/http://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/airtel-volte-services-2017-launch-rivalling-reliance-jio-1722991 |archive-date=10 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Airtel is the first Indian telecom service provider to achieve Cisco Gold Certification.<ref>{{cite web|author=Agencies |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Bharti-Airtel-gets-Gold-Certification/663519/ |title=Bharti Airtel gets Gold Certification |work=Express India |date=22 August 2010 |access-date=21 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113193951/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Bharti-Airtel-gets-Gold-Certification/663519/ |archive-date=13 January 2012 }}</ref> It also acts as a carrier for national and international long-distance communication services. The company has a submarine cable landing station at Chennai, with a connection to Singapore.<ref name="TRAI">{{cite web|date=31 October 2020|title=Press Release on Telecom Subscription Data as on 31 October 2020|url=https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.101of2020_0.pdf|publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India|access-date=23 December 2020|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119182932/https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.101of2020_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/top-three-telcos-have-61-market-share-116091300897_1.html|title=Top three telcos have 61% market share|last=Reporter|first=B. S.|date=13 September 2016|newspaper=Business Standard India|access-date=9 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220075733/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/top-three-telcos-have-61-market-share-116091300897_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Airtel was named India's second most valuable brand in the first ever Brandz ranking by Millward Brown and WPP plc in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpp.com/wpp/press/2014/aug/19/hdfc-bank-named-indias-most-valuable-brand-in-brandz-ranking-as-service-sector-brands-dominate/|title=HDFC Bank named India's most valuable brand in Brandranking|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827190951/http://www.wpp.com/wpp/press/2014/aug/19/hdfc-bank-named-indias-most-valuable-brand-in-brandz-ranking-as-service-sector-brands-dominate/|archive-date=27 August 2014|date=19 August 2014|access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="top10">{{cite web|title=India's top 10 brands|url=http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/oct/26/slide-show-1-tata-motors-is-indias-top-brand.htm|website=business.rediff.com|access-date=26 October 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101028074814/http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/oct/26/slide-show-1-tata-motors-is-indias-top-brand.htm| archive-date= 28 October 2010 | url-status=live}}</ref>
==Mobile services== [[File:Airtel.JPG|thumb|Airtel office in Pune, c. 2012]] Airtel operates in all telecom circles of India.
===3G=== On 18 May 2010, the 3G spectrum auction was completed and Airtel paid the Government of India {{INRConvert|123|b}} for spectrum in 13 telecom circles of India: Delhi, Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh (West), Rajasthan, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, North East, and Jammu & Kashmir.<ref name="medianama2">{{cite web|first=Nikhil|last=Pahwa |url=http://www.medianama.com/2010/05/223-3g-auction-india-ends-provisional-winners/ |title=India's 3G Auction Ends; Operator And Circle-Wise Results |work=Medianama.com |access-date=23 August 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100825194632/http://www.medianama.com/2010/05/223-3g-auction-india-ends-provisional-winners/| archive-date= 25 August 2010 | url-status=live|date=19 May 2010 }}</ref> Airtel also operates 3G services in Maharashtra & Goa, Kolkata, Gujarat and Punjab circles through an agreement with Vodafone. This gives Airtel a 3G presence in all 22 out of 22 circles in India. Airtel is fined by DoT 3.50 billion for not stopping offering 3G Services through Roaming Pacts outside its Licensed Zones in Seven Circles.
On 20 September 2010, Bharti Airtel said that it had given contracts to Ericsson India, Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to set up infrastructure for providing 3G services in the country. These vendors would plan, design, deploy and maintain 3G–HSPA (third-generation, high-speed packet access) networks in 13 telecom circles where the company had won 3G licences. While Airtel awarded network contracts for seven 3G circles to Ericsson India, NSN would manage networks in three circles. Chinese telecom equipment vendor Huawei Technologies was introduced as the third partner for three circles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6592626.cms?prtpage=1|title=Ericsson, NSN and Huawei to build 3G networks for Airtel |work=The Economic Times |date=20 September 2010|access-date=21 November 2010}}</ref>
Airtel launched 3G services in Bangalore on 24 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/telecom/Airtel-launches-3G-in-Karnataka/articleshow/7352596.cms |work=The Times of India|date=24 January 2011 |location=India | title=Airtel launches 3G in Karnataka|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128210412/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/telecom/Airtel-launches-3G-in-Karnataka/articleshow/7352596.cms|archive-date=28 January 2011 }}</ref> On 27 January 2011, Airtel launched 3G in Chennai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. On 27 July 2011, 3G services were launched in Kerala's 3 largest cities – Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latesttechnology.online/2018/11/bharti-airtel-limited-indian-global.html |title=On 21 November 2018, Bharti Airtel Limited global telecommunications service provider company from India |work=Latesttechnology.online |date=21 November 2018 |access-date=21 November 2018 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121161653/https://www.latesttechnology.online/2018/11/bharti-airtel-limited-indian-global.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Airtel 3G services are available in 200 cities through its network and in 500 cities through intra-circle roaming arrangements with other operators. Airtel had about 5.4 million 3G customers of which 4 million are 3G data customers as of September 2012. Airtel has 3G licence in all 22 circles.<ref name="Q22012">{{cite web|title=Quarterly Report Q2 2012|url=http://www.airtel.in/QuarterlyResult/Quarterly_report_Q2_13.pdf|publisher=Airtel |access-date=18 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123131411/http://www.airtel.in/QuarterlyResult/Quarterly_report_Q2_13.pdf|archive-date=23 January 2013}}</ref>
In October 2017, Bharti Airtel announced its acquisition of Tata Docomo having roughly 40 million subscribers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bharti Airtel acquires Tata's mobile arm|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/bharti-airtel-to-acquire-tatas-consumer-mobile-business/article19846171.ece|access-date=23 April 2018|work=The Hindu|date=12 October 2017}}</ref>
In June 2019, Airtel closed their 3G network in Kolkata. In Kolkata users can only access 4G and 2G networks. As of April 2025, Airtel does not provide a 3G network and only 5G, 4G LTE, and 2G services are offered.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Navadha |title=Bharti Airtel looks to phase out 3G network across India by March |url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/telecom/airtel-to-shut-down-3g-networks-across-india-by-march-2020-1564741548731.html |access-date=5 February 2020 |work=Livemint |date=2 August 2019 |language=en |archive-date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205133430/https://www.livemint.com/industry/telecom/airtel-to-shut-down-3g-networks-across-india-by-march-2020-1564741548731.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===4G=== On 19 May 2010, the broadband wireless access (BWA) or 4G spectrum auction in India ended. Airtel paid {{INRConvert|33.1436|b}} for spectrum in 4 circles: Maharashtra and Goa, Karnataka, Punjab and Kolkata.<ref name="medianama.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.medianama.com/2010/06/223-indias-broadband-wireless-auction-ends-operator-circlewise-results/|title=India's Broadband Wireless Auction Ends; Operator & Circlewise Results|date=11 June 2010}}</ref> The company was allocated 20 MHz of BWA spectrum in 2.3 GHz frequency band. Airtel's TD-LTE network is built and operated by ZTE in Kolkata and Punjab, Huawei in Karnataka, and Nokia Siemens Networks in Maharashtra and Goa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telecomtalk.info/4g-india-3gs-way-in-depth-analysis/93871/|title=Will 4G in India go 3G's way? In Depth Analysis By CARE Research - TelecomTalk|first=Rudradeep|last=Biswas|access-date=12 December 2019|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022110143/https://telecomtalk.info/4g-india-3gs-way-in-depth-analysis/93871/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 April 2012, Airtel launched 4G services through dongles and modems using TD-LTE technology in Kolkata, becoming the first company in India to offer 4G services. The Kolkata launch was followed by launches in Bangalore (7 May 2012),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://telecomtalk.info/airtel-4g-services-launched-bangalore/93252/#more-93252 |title=Airtel 4G Services Launched in Bangalore |work=Telecomtalk.info |date=7 May 2012 |access-date=28 June 2012 |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630062241/http://telecomtalk.info/airtel-4g-services-launched-bangalore/93252/#more-93252 |url-status=live }}</ref> Pune (18 October 2012),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://telecomtalk.info/airtel-4g-lte-services-pune/101383/#more-101383 |title=Airtel 4G LTE Services Launched in Pune |work=Telecomtalk.info |date=18 October 2012 |access-date=29 October 2012 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022085224/http://telecomtalk.info/airtel-4g-lte-services-pune/101383/#more-101383 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula (25 March 2013).<ref>{{cite web |first=Rudradeep |last=Biswas |url=http://telecomtalk.info/exclusive-airtel-to-launch-4glte-td-services-in-chandigarh-today/105283/ |title=Exclusive: Airtel to Launch 4G/LTE-TD Services in Chandigarh Today |work=Telecomtalk.info |date=20 March 2013 |access-date=21 March 2013 |archive-date=23 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323085118/http://telecomtalk.info/exclusive-airtel-to-launch-4glte-td-services-in-chandigarh-today/105283 |url-status=live }}</ref> Airtel obtained 4G licences and spectrum in the telecom circles of Delhi, Haryana, Kerala and Mumbai after acquiring Wireless Business Services Private Limited, a joint venture founded by Qualcomm, which had won BWA spectrum in those circles in the 4G spectrum auction.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/bharti-buys-49-per-cent-in-qualcomm-bwa-unit-for-165-million/article3452175.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Bharti buys 49 per cent in Qualcomm BWA unit for $165 million | date=24 May 2012}}</ref>
Airtel launched 4G services on mobile from February 2014. The first city to get the service was Bangalore.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/telecom/Airtel-launches-4G-on-mobiles-at-same-price-as-3G/articleshow/30382502.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Airtel launches 4G on mobiles at same price as 3G – The Times of India | archive-date=10 March 2014 | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310014653/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/telecom/Airtel-launches-4G-on-mobiles-at-same-price-as-3G/articleshow/30382502.cms | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/bharti-airtel-offers-4g-services-on-mobiles-in-bangalore/articleshow/30362058.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Bharti Airtel offers 4G services on mobiles in Bangalore | date=14 February 2014}}</ref> Airtel has started their 4G services in Karnal and Yamunanagar in Haryana on 16 June 2015.<ref name="Airtel 4G in Haryana">{{cite news|url=http://www.newsexprezz.com/airtel-4g-launched-in-karnal-and-yamunanagar-011830/ |title=Airtel 4G launch in Karnal and Yamunanagar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617124932/http://www.newsexprezz.com/airtel-4g-launched-in-karnal-and-yamunanagar-011830/ |archive-date=17 June 2015 |access-date=12 March 2022 |work=News Exprezz |date=16 June 2015}}</ref> Airtel 4G trials has been started in Delhi from 18 June 2015.<ref name="Airtel 4G">[http://www.newsexprezz.com/airtel-4g-in-delhi-launch-on-18th-june-011804/ Airtel 4G launch in Delhi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617123426/http://www.newsexprezz.com/airtel-4g-in-delhi-launch-on-18th-june-011804/ |date=17 June 2015 }}, ''News Exprezz'', 16 June 2015.</ref> Airtel had 95,173,000 4G subscribers as of June 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Quarterly report on the results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2019 |url=https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/bsy/iportal/images/Quarterly-IR-Pack-Bharti-Airtel-Consolidated_D9EB4DDAFE7ECBC818A2D3987B78FCC1.pdf |date=30 June 2019 |publisher=Airtel |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=23 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123131411/http://www.airtel.in/QuarterlyResult/Quarterly_report_Q2_13.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
As of June 2019, Airtel provides 4G coverage in all India in 22 circles.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.airtel.in/|title=India's leading provider of Prepaid & Postpaid Mobile Services in India - Airtel.in|publisher=Airtel|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-date=29 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429212635/http://www.airtel.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> Airtel extended its 4G network to 15 km off India's coastline, following a request by the Indian Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/4g-lte-how-reliance-jio-airtel-vodafone-idea-cellular-aircel-stack-up/51357478|title=4G LTE: How Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Aircel stack up - ET Telecom|website=ETTelecom.com|access-date=7 April 2016|archive-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408214544/http://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/4g-lte-how-reliance-jio-airtel-vodafone-idea-cellular-aircel-stack-up/51357478|url-status=live}}</ref> Airtel started its 4G in Andaman and Nicobar on 15 January 2019.<ref name="auto"/> Airtel covered 96% population in Rajasthan till March 2019.<ref name="auto"/> Airtel's network now covers approximately 98% of the population in these geographies.<ref name="auto"/>
====VoLTE==== On 3 November 2016, ''The Economic Times'' reported that Airtel had awarded a {{INR}}4.02 billion (US$60 million) contract to Nokia to implement Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology on the operator's network nationwide. Airtel had previously awarded a smaller contract to Nokia for trial of VoLTE technology in select circles in early 2016. Airtel subscribers would be able to place VoLTE calls in areas covered by LTE. If LTE was not available in the area, the call will fall back to 3G or 2G.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Danish |title=Airtel signs Rs 402-crore deal with Nokia on VoLTE calling tech |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/airtel-signs-rs-420-crore-deal-with-nokia-on-volte-calling-tech/articleshow/55192001.cms |access-date=4 November 2016 |work=The Economic Times |date=3 November 2016}}</ref>
=== 5G === Airtel operates a 5G network running in NSA mode and runs on bands n78 and n258.
Jan 2021 - Demonstrated live 5G network at Hyderabad, India.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jagmeet|last=Singh|date=28 January 2021|title=Airtel Claims to Be Ready for 5G Rollout, Demonstrates Live Experience|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/airtel-5g-network-rollout-plans-demonstration-jio-competitive-move-india-2359260|access-date=10 March 2021|work=NDTV Gadgets 360|language=en|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227133445/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/airtel-5g-network-rollout-plans-demonstration-jio-competitive-move-india-2359260|url-status=live}}</ref>
Feb 2021 - Announced partnership with Qualcomm to develop Open-RAN based 5G network.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Asthana |first1=Bhuvnesh |title=Airtel and Qualcomm to collaborate for 5G in India|work=Airtel |date=23 February 2021 |url=https://www.airtel.in/press-release/02-2021/airtel-and-qualcomm-to-collaborate-for-5g-in-india|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
July 2021 - Airtel and Intel announce collaboration to accelerate 5G in India.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Asthana |first1=Bhuvnesh |title=Airtel and Intel announce collaboration to accelerate 5G in India |work=Airtel |date=21 July 2021 |url=https://www.airtel.in/press-release/07-2021/airtel-and-intel-announce-collaboration-to-accelerate-5g-in-india }}</ref>
August 2022 - Airtel signed agreement deal with Nokia, Samsung & Ericsson for 5G services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2022 |title=Airtel To Roll Out 5G Network This Month, Signs Agreement Deal With Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson |url=https://www.india.com/technology/airtel-to-roll-out-5g-network-this-month-signs-agreement-deal-with-nokia-samsung-ericsson-5552858/ |access-date=20 October 2022 |website=India.com |language=en |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020161223/https://www.india.com/technology/airtel-to-roll-out-5g-network-this-month-signs-agreement-deal-with-nokia-samsung-ericsson-5552858/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
October 2022 - On 1 October 2022, Bharti Airtel launched 5G services in 8 cities in India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airtel announces launch of 5G service in 8 cities. Details here |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/airtel-announces-launch-of-5g-service-in-8-cities-details-here-11664702379715.html |access-date=27 June 2023 |work=Mint |date=2 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
===Spectrum frequency holding summary=== Airtel India owns spectrum in 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 3500 MHz and 26 GHz bands across the country.<ref>{{citation|url=https://onlytech.com/india-telecom-spectrum-chart/|publisher=Only Tech|access-date=7 October 2022|title=Pan India Telecom Spectrum holding chart 2022 (updated)|date=August 2022|archive-date=8 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008170024/https://onlytech.com/india-telecom-spectrum-chart/|url-status=live}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" | Telecom circle coverage ! scope="col" | FD-LTE<br />850MHz<br />Band 5 ! scope="col" | E-GSM / FD-LTE<br />900MHz<br />Band 8 ! scope="col" | GSM / FD-LTE<br />1800MHz<br />Band 3 ! scope="col" | UMTS / FD-LTE<br />2100MHz<br />Band 1 ! scope="col" | TD-LTE<br />2300MHz<br />Band 40 ! scope="col" | TD-NR<br />3500MHz<br />Band n78 ! scope="col" | TD-NR<br />26GHz<br />Band n258 |- |Andhra Pradesh & Telangana || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Assam || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Bihar & Jharkhand || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Delhi || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Uttar Pradesh (East) || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Gujarat || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Haryana || {{ya|color=}} || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Himachal Pradesh || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Jammu and Kashmir || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Karnataka || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Kerala || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Kolkata || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh || {{ya|color=}} || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Maharashtra & Goa || {{ya|color=}} || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Mumbai || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |North East || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Odisha || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Punjab || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Rajasthan || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Tamil Nadu || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |West Bengal || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |- |Uttar Pradesh (West) || {{ya|color=}} || {{na|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} || {{ya|color=}} |}
===Project Leap=== On 30 November 2015, Airtel announced the launch of a network transformation programme called Project Leap. Under the programme, the company will invest {{INR}}60,000 crores over the next 3 years to upgrade its network across India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airtel launches website to allow users to track Project Leap |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/airtel-launches-website-to-allow-users-to-track-project-leap/articleshow/50355970.cms |date=29 December 2015}}</ref> Airtel will deploy over 160,000 base stations nationwide, and also expand its mobile broadband coverage to over 500,000 villages. Under Project Leap, Airtel will introduce several technologies such as small cells, carrier aggregation solutions, Wi-Fi hotspots, and several different spectrum bands to improve network coverage in indoor areas. The company will also deploy more than 5,50,000 km of domestic and international fibre, and upgrade its legacy networks and base stations over the three-year period.
Airtel Broadband will also benefit from Project Leap. The ISP's maximum offered speed will rise from 16 Mbit/s in 2016 to 50 Mbit/s when after the programme is implemented.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airtel to invest Rs 60,000 crore in 'Project Leap'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/airtel-to-invest-rs-60000-crore-in-project-leap/article7933714.ece|website=The Hindu|access-date=6 September 2016|language=en-IN|date=30 November 2015|archive-date=4 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304132340/http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/airtel-to-invest-rs-60000-crore-in-project-leap/article7933714.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 14 June 2016, Airtel launched the Open Network initiative under Project Leap. The Open Network service allows users to view Airtel's mobile network coverage and signal strength across India, in addition to network site deployment status. This was first launched on a trial basis in December 2015, before its official launch in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/airtels-open-network-launched-on-app-to-show-coverage-quality-across-india-849280|title=Airtel's Open Network Launched on App, Shows Coverage Across India|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=15 June 2016|access-date=22 October 2019|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022110137/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/airtels-open-network-launched-on-app-to-show-coverage-quality-across-india-849280|url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2016, Airtel deployed LTE Advanced carrier aggregation technology in Kerala. Carrier aggregation combines the capacities of TD-LTE (2300 MHz spectrum band) and FD-LTE (1800) enabling better spectrum utilisation and efficiency. The network achieved data speeds of up to 135 Mbit/s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telecomtalk.info/airtel-4g-data-speeds-up-to-13mbps-in-bengaluru/156953/|title=Airtel to enable 4G data speeds up to 135 Mbps in Bengaluru, deploys 4G Advanced Carrier Aggregation - TelecomTalk|first=Rudradeep|last=Biswas|access-date=12 December 2019|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022110138/https://telecomtalk.info/airtel-4g-data-speeds-up-to-13mbps-in-bengaluru/156953/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Airtel Business == Jan 2020 - Announced partnership with Google Cloud Platform to offer Google Workspace to SMBs in India.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Anasia|last=D'mello|date=23 January 2020|title=G Suite to form part of Airtel's integrated B2B connectivity solutions for businesses - VanillaPlus - The global voice of Telecoms IT|url=https://www.vanillaplus.com/2020/01/23/50201-g-suite-form-part-airtels-integrated-b2b-connectivity-solutions-businesses/|access-date=10 March 2021|work=VanillaPlus|language=en-US}}</ref>
May 2020 - Announced 'Work@Home' solutions for corporate employees, which bundled collaboration tools including Google Meet, Cisco Webex and Zoom (software).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Airtel Launches 'Work@Home' Plans for Businesses|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/airtel-work-at-home-businesses-employees-4g-vpn-2230847|access-date=10 March 2021|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=18 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Announced "High speed Airtel 4G Corporate Mi-Fi devices with complimentary G Suite pack".
July 2020 - Partnered with Verizon Communications to launch BlueJeans in India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Manish|date=14 July 2020|title=Verizon partners with Airtel to launch BlueJeans in India|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/14/airtel-bluejeans-verizon-partnership-india-launch/|access-date=10 March 2021|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|archive-date=6 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306184410/https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/14/airtel-bluejeans-verizon-partnership-india-launch/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Airtel IQ === A cloud communications suite, which Airtel has announced in Oct 2020, that it will operate as a separate business division.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Asthana |first1=Bhuvnesh |title=Airtel enters the $ 1 billion Indian cloud communications market with Airtel IQ|work=Airtel |date=26 October 2020 |url=https://www.airtel.in/press-release/10-2020/airtel-enters-the-1-billion-doller-indian-cloud-communications-market-with-airtel-iq|access-date=10 March 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308182459/https://www.airtel.in/press-release/10-2020/airtel-enters-the-1-billion-doller-indian-cloud-communications-market-with-airtel-iq|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=26 October 2020|title=Airtel IQ cloud-based communication platform launched in India: Here's what it does|url=https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/airtel-iq-cloud-based-communication-platform-launched-in-india-here-s-what-it-does-71603707029479.html|access-date=10 March 2021|work=Hindustan Times Tech|language=en|archive-date=23 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123185035/https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/airtel-iq-cloud-based-communication-platform-launched-in-india-here-s-what-it-does-71603707029479.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Nxtra Datacenter === Nxtra Data Ltd, a subsidiary of Airtel, which operates data center services to corporate clients in the South Asian region. It currently operates 10 Tier-III Data centers across 7 locations in India.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 November 2020|title=Bharti Airtel unit Nxtra Data to set up two new data centre campuses in Mumbai, Pune|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-bytes/bharti-airtel-unit-nxtra-data-to-set-up-two-new-data-centre-campuses-in-mumbai-pune/articleshow/79017491.cms?from=mdr|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
Aug 2020 - Announced strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to offer AWS's services to SMBs in India.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khan|first=Danish|date=4 August 2020|title=Airtel set to ink strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to tap SMB opportunity - ET Telecom|url=https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/airtel-set-to-ink-strategic-alliance-with-amazon-web-services-to-tap-smb-opportunity/77355014|access-date=10 March 2021|work=Economic Times|language=en|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928065205/https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/airtel-set-to-ink-strategic-alliance-with-amazon-web-services-to-tap-smb-opportunity/77355014|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Airtel Money== Airtel has started a new mCommerce platform called Airtel Money in collaboration with Infosys and SmartTrust (now Giesecke & Devrient). The platform was launched on 5 April 2012, at Infosys' headquarters in Bangalore. Using Airtel Money, users can transfer money, pay bills and perform other financial transactions directly on the mobile phone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airtel.in/wps/wcm/connect/airtelmoney/airtelmoney/home/why_airtel_money |title=airtel mcommerce-mobile money bill payments and recharge |publisher=Airtel |access-date=28 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710030436/http://www.airtel.in/wps/wcm/connect/airtelmoney/airtelmoney/home/why_airtel_money |archive-date=10 July 2012 }}</ref>
==Airtel Broadband==
===Xstream Fiber=== Airtel launched its Xstream Fiber service in October 2016. Airtel Xstream Fiber is available in 1,140 cities in India with speeds up to 1 Gbit/s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Darab Mansoor |date=2 April 2020 |title=Airtel Will Expand Its Xstream Fibre Broadband Service to 25 More Cities |url=https://www.gadgets360.com/telecom/news/airtel-xstream-fibre-broadband-expansion-25-cities-plans-launch-date-2205079 |website=Gadgets 360 |access-date=5 October 2023 |archive-date=21 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121111906/https://www.gadgets360.com/telecom/news/airtel-xstream-fibre-broadband-expansion-25-cities-plans-launch-date-2205079 |url-status=live }}</ref> It offers other services like VoIP, OTT apps and TV channels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Free Airtel OTT subscription now available! Check out the Airtel broadband plans' pricing |url=https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/free-airtel-ott-subscription-now-available-check-out-the-airtel-broadband-plans-pricing-71653996863016.html |website=HT Tech |date=31 May 2022 |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref>
===IPTV=== Airtel Broadband launched its IPTV service in 2009. On 31 August 2016, the company shut down the service, and offered its 50,000 subscribers a free upgrade to Airtel Digital TV. The company stated that the move was part of its strategy to focus on a single television service.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airtel to shut down IPTv service from 31st August, offers free migration to DTH platform|url=http://telecomtalk.info/airtel-iptv-free-migration-dth/156206/|website=Telecomtalk.info|access-date=6 September 2016|date=18 August 2016|archive-date=16 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916062723/http://telecomtalk.info/airtel-iptv-free-migration-dth/156206/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Net neutrality debate== {{Further|Net neutrality in India}}
In April 2015, Airtel launched a marketing platform called Airtel Zero, which allows application providers to pay for the data used by the consumers, enabling consumers to access specific mobile apps at zero data cost.<ref>{{cite web |title=Airtel launches 'Airtel Zero' |url=http://www.airtel.in/about-bharti/media-centre/bharti-airtel-news/corporate/airtel+launches+-+airtel+zero-+a+win-win+platform+for+customers+and+marketers |access-date=15 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415024105/http://www.airtel.in/about-bharti/media-centre/bharti-airtel-news/corporate/airtel%2Blaunches%2B-%2Bairtel%2Bzero-%2Ba%2Bwin-win%2Bplatform%2Bfor%2Bcustomers%2Band%2Bmarketers |archive-date=15 April 2015 }} Archived from [http://www.airtel.in/about-bharti/media-centre/bharti-airtel-news/corporate/airtel+launches+-+airtel+zero-+a+win-win+platform+for+customers+and+marketers Bharti Airtel News] </ref> Flipkart, a leading Indian e-commerce firm reportedly was to become the launch partner of "Airtel Zero". The issue triggered debate on net neutrality in India<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mishra|first1=Lalatendu|title=Net neutrality debate rages|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/net-neutrality-debate-rages/article7102338.ece|access-date=15 April 2015|work=The Hindu|date=15 April 2015|ref=HinduNN|location=Chennai, India|archive-date=5 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305161710/http://www.thehindu.com/business/net-neutrality-debate-rages/article7102338.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> and following protests Flipkart pulled out of Airtel Zero.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Mahim Prathap Singh|author2=Pradeesh Chandran|title=Following consumer backlash, Flipkart pulls out of Airtel Zero|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/we-are-in-favour-of-net-neutrality-flipkart-ceo/article7101557.ece|access-date=14 April 2015|work=The Hindu|date=14 April 2015|location=New Delhi|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117185008/http://www.thehindu.com/business/we-are-in-favour-of-net-neutrality-flipkart-ceo/article7101557.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BGRFlipkart>{{cite news|title=Flipkart mobile app bears the brunt of the company's reported plans to join 'Airtel Zero'|url=http://www.bgr.in/news/flipkart-mobile-app-bears-the-brunt-of-the-companys-reported-plans-to-join-airtel-zero/|access-date=10 April 2015|work=BGR India|date=9 April 2015|archive-date=12 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412033214/http://www.bgr.in/news/flipkart-mobile-app-bears-the-brunt-of-the-companys-reported-plans-to-join-airtel-zero/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=FlipkartDownvote>{{cite news|title=Consumers downvote Flipkart app after net neutrality controversy|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/consumers-downvote-flipkart-app-after-net-neutrality-controversy-247898-2015-04-09|access-date=10 April 2015|work=India Today|date=9 April 2015|archive-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409213402/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/consumers-downvote-flipkart-app-after-net-neutrality-controversy/1/429310.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== * Bharti Airtel * Bharti Enterprises * Airtel Payments Bank * Wynk * Telecommunications in India * List of telecom companies in India * List of mobile network operators
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://airtel.in}} {{Bharti Enterprises}} {{Telecommunication companies of India}}
Category:Companies based in Mumbai Category:Telecommunications companies of India Category:Mobile phone companies of India Category:Internet service providers of India Category:Indian companies established in 1995 Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1995 Category:Bharti Airtel