Reliance Jio AirFiber vs Airtel Xstream AirFiber: Which one should you go with and why?

Availability

Airtel Xstream AirFiber is currently only available in 2 cities – Delhi and Mumbai whereas Reliance AirFiber is available in eight cities –  Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.

Jio and Airtel say they plan to expand the service to other cities, but none of them have yet shared details about the same. In terms of availability, Reliance Jio is the clear winner here.

Installation and portability

Airtel Xstream AirFiber is a plug-and-play solution that can be self-installed using the Xstream AirFiber app. Purchase the device, power it up and you are good to go. On the other hand, Reliance AirFiber requires the installation of an outdoor unit on your terrace or somewhere outside the home by the company.

When it comes to portability and ease of installation, Airtel’s Xstream Air Fiber is the clear winner.

Additional benefits

The recently introduced Reliance AirFiber offers a bunch of plans that also include access to OTT apps like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar,  Sony Liv, Zee5, JioCinema, SunNXT, Hoichoi, Discovery+, Universal+, ALTBalaji, Eros Now, Lionsgate Play, ShemarooMe, Docubay, and EpicOn in addition to more than 550 digital HD channels.

You also get a 4K Smart Set Top Box, voice remote and a Wi-Fi router for free. Airtel offers no such benefits, so if you are someone who wants more than just internet access, Jio Airfiber is the way to go.

Speed, benefits and price

Airtel Xstream AirFiber only offers one plan that costs Rs 4,435 for six months (exclusive of GST) with an additional Rs 2,500 security deposit for the hardware device, which is refundable. The speed is capped at 100Mbps.

The cheapest Jio AirFiber plan costs Rs 599 per month but the speed is capped to 30Mbps. Also, Jio AirFiber has a maximum speed of 1000Mbps, which is 10x more than what Airtel is offering. However, that plan will cost you Rs 3,999 per month. Here’s a complete list of current Reliance AirFiber plans.

If we compare both, Reliance is the clear winner here since it has a bunch of plans that cater to both light and heavy users. Moreover, it also offers content from OTT platforms and access to 550+ digital channels.

Verdict

If you are looking for a wireless internet solution that is portable and don’t consume content from OTT platforms, Airtel’s Xstream AirFiber might be the right choice for you since it doesn’t require installation. However, those looking for fast wireless internet at home and want access to additional perks at lower cost, Reliance Jio AirFiber makes more sense.