Airtel's 5G network is now available across the country

At launch, the 5G Plus network by Airtel was limited to select cities. Within 12 months, the company rolled out its 5G network across the country, and it is now available across 28 states and 8 union territories. However, the 5G network is still not as widely available as the 4G network.

No SIM change required

While transitioning from 3G to 4G, users needed to upgrade their SIM card to access the new network standard. However, with 5G, there are no such requirements. This enables anyone to access a 5G network on a capable smartphone without much hassle.

Unlimited 5G with no data cap

Airtel is also offering complimentary unlimited 5G for both prepaid and postpaid users who are on a specific recharge plan. This allows users to stream and download content without any data cap, and the higher data bandwidth compared to the 4G network also enables users to stream high-resolution content without delay or latency.

5G is 25 times faster than 4G

According to Ookla, 5G offers 25 times faster average download speed than 4G, with Airtel offering an average download speed of 268.89 Mbps in New Delhi. Similarly, according to Ookla, Airtel 5G offers a peak download speed of 1,641 Mbps, delivering broadband-like internet speeds on smartphones.

India currently has over 100 million 5G users

Within a year of launch, India has over 100 million unique 5G users. Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance, recently confirmed at the company's 46th annual general meeting that Jio has over 50 million 5G subscribers, and Airtel also has 50 million 5G users in the country.

Over 3,000 5G towers were installed in just 10 months

Airtel and Jio have installed over 3,000 5G-capable cellular towers across the country in a short span of just 10 months. According to Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, these towers are installed across 714 various districts in the country, making India one of the fastest countries to roll out the 5G network.

The price of affordable 5G phones has drastically come down over the last few months, and one can now buy a brand new 5G phone for less than Rs 10,000 (e.g., Itel P55 Power 5G) in the country. Brands like Xiaomi, Samsung, Lava, and more have also been launching more accessible 5G smartphones.

Enables high-speed internet access even in remote locations

The 5G network has also enabled telcos to offer high-speed internet access even in remote locations with no fiber network using technologies like Xstream AirFiber also known as FWA or Fixed Wireless Access.

More 5G bands are being added

Airtel recently began offering its 5G network over the 26GHz frequency, also known as millimeter wave (mmWave), which has higher data bandwidth. However, most of the 5G phones sold in the country currently do not support mmWave frequency, which requires a special hardware/antenna.

5G base expected to go up to 700 million by 2028

As data consumption continues to grow in the country, Ericsson speculates that there will be over 700 million 5G users by 2028 in India, and 56 per cent of mobile users will have access to the 5G network in the country by the same period.

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This is an archive article published on October 1, 2023

Airtel logs 50 million 5G users: A timeline of 5G revolution in India

From affordable smartphones to unlimited high-speed internet access, 5G is revolutionising the way we use smartphones and digital services.

Airtel has launched 5G networks in India in select regions, but you can't use it on iPhones just yet. (Image Source: The Indian Express/ Anuj Bhatia)

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It’s been almost a year since Airtel started offering its 5G network in India. The company has now confirmed that it has over 50 million 5G subscribers with an overall user base of over 244 million in the country. Here are ten interesting developments since the introduction of the 5G network in India.

01
Airtel's 5G network is now available across the country
At launch, the 5G Plus network by Airtel was limited to select cities. Within 12 months, the company rolled out its 5G network across the country, and it is now available across 28 states and 8 union territories. However, the 5G network is still not as widely available as the 4G network.
02
No SIM change required
While transitioning from 3G to 4G, users needed to upgrade their SIM card to access the new network standard. However, with 5G, there are no such requirements. This enables anyone to access a 5G network on a capable smartphone without much hassle.
03
Unlimited 5G with no data cap
Airtel is also offering complimentary unlimited 5G for both prepaid and postpaid users who are on a specific recharge plan. This allows users to stream and download content without any data cap, and the higher data bandwidth compared to the 4G network also enables users to stream high-resolution content without delay or latency.
04
5G is 25 times faster than 4G
According to Ookla, 5G offers 25 times faster average download speed than 4G, with Airtel offering an average download speed of 268.89 Mbps in New Delhi. Similarly, according to Ookla, Airtel 5G offers a peak download speed of 1,641 Mbps, delivering broadband-like internet speeds on smartphones.
05
India currently has over 100 million 5G users
Within a year of launch, India has over 100 million unique 5G users. Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance, recently confirmed at the company's 46th annual general meeting that Jio has over 50 million 5G subscribers, and Airtel also has 50 million 5G users in the country.
06
Over 3,000 5G towers were installed in just 10 months
Airtel and Jio have installed over 3,000 5G-capable cellular towers across the country in a short span of just 10 months. According to Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, these towers are installed across 714 various districts in the country, making India one of the fastest countries to roll out the 5G network.
07
Affordable 5G phones
The price of affordable 5G phones has drastically come down over the last few months, and one can now buy a brand new 5G phone for less than Rs 10,000 (e.g., Itel P55 Power 5G) in the country. Brands like Xiaomi, Samsung, Lava, and more have also been launching more accessible 5G smartphones.
08
Enables high-speed internet access even in remote locations
The 5G network has also enabled telcos to offer high-speed internet access even in remote locations with no fiber network using technologies like Xstream AirFiber also known as FWA or Fixed Wireless Access.
09
More 5G bands are being added
Airtel recently began offering its 5G network over the 26GHz frequency, also known as millimeter wave (mmWave), which has higher data bandwidth. However, most of the 5G phones sold in the country currently do not support mmWave frequency, which requires a special hardware/antenna.
10
5G base expected to go up to 700 million by 2028
As data consumption continues to grow in the country, Ericsson speculates that there will be over 700 million 5G users by 2028 in India, and 56 per cent of mobile users will have access to the 5G network in the country by the same period.