Bharti Airtel, one of the leading telecom operators in India, has announced that it has crossed 1.7 million unique customers on its 5G Plus network in the North East region within one year of its launch. The company claims that it has covered all the 110 districts of the eight states in the region, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
Airtel 5G Plus: A Game-Changer for Connectivity
Airtel 5G Plus is a hybrid network that combines 4G and 5G technologies to deliver ultra-fast speeds and low latency to customers. The network uses dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) to switch between 4G and 5G bands depending on the availability and demand. Airtel says that its 5G Plus network can offer up to 10 times faster speeds than 4G and can support up to 100 times more devices per cell site.
Airtel has been at the forefront of 5G innovation, showcasing various use cases that have transformed how customers live and conduct business, including establishing India’s first private 5G network and launching the Airtel Xstream Air Fiber, a wireless broadband service that uses 5G technology to provide high-speed internet access to homes and offices.
Airtel 5G Plus: A Boon for North East India
The North East region of India has been historically lagging behind in terms of connectivity and digital infrastructure. According to a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the region had only 23.6 million internet users as of December 2020, accounting for just 3.8% of the total internet users in the country.
Airtel’s 5G Plus network has been a boon for the people of North East India, enabling them to access high-quality digital services and opportunities. The network has empowered customers across various sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, e-commerce and entertainment. Airtel says that its 5G Plus network has also helped in bridging the digital divide and fostering social inclusion in the region.
Airtel 5G Plus: A Milestone for India’s 5G Journey
Airtel’s achievement of reaching 1.7 million customers on its 5G Plus network in North East India is a milestone for India’s 5G journey, which is expected to begin in earnest by mid-2024. The company says that it is ready to roll out its full-fledged 5G services across the country as soon as the spectrum is allocated by the government.
Airtel’s rival Reliance Jio has also announced its plans to launch its own 5G network by mid-2024, using indigenously developed technology. The two operators are expected to compete fiercely for the lucrative 5G market in India, which is estimated to have over 350 million subscribers by 2026, according to a report by Ericsson.
