Airtel 5G networks are now available in eight cities in India. Its subscribers in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Siliguri, and Varanasi now have access to 5G services. The telecom operator aims to bring 5G connectivity to several other cities in the country by March 2023. It expects to rollout 5G services across the country by March 2024.
Airtel is ahead of its competitors in the race to roll out 5G services in the country. Reliance Jio has confirmed that it will start its Jio 5G services in four cities later this month. While Vi is yet to confirm a specific timeframe, BSNL plans to begin 5G networks in August 2023. A top executive from Airtel has shed some information on the first batch of devices to support Airtel 5G.
Also Read: Airtel broadband plans [October 2022]: price, how to book, installation, all offers and details
Xiaomi, Samsung phones first to support Airtel 5G
Airtel 5G will arrive first on Xiaomi and Samsung (5G) phones
The executive said that Airtel 5G will be available on Xiaomi and Samsung smartphones later this month (October). It goes without saying that only a 5G-ready phone will be able to connect to 5G networks. He added that Airtel will soon be sharing information on which devices will support 5G connectivity and which won’t through its website.
As far as iPhones are concerned, the executive said that Apple is doing their final testing to bring support for Airtel 5G. The executive also said that users of devices older than the iPhone 14 series will need to do a software update in order to connect to Airtel 5G.
Airtel 5G tariffs, plans
Airtel is yet to confirm its 5G tariffs. According to the Airtel executive, since only 10 percent of users in India have a 5G-enabled phone, Airtel’s 5G services may not be priced at a premium to its 4G network. The telecom operator will confirm the 5G tariffs in the coming days.