Indian operator Bharti Airtel has expanded its 5G network to reach 140,000 villages across India. This extension highlights the company’s ambitious network rollout and its determination to enhance digital connectivity in rural areas.
Airtel’s 4G network already covers 800,000 villages, ensuring that rural populations have access to high-speed internet. Reports indicate that Airtel’s network now encompasses all 7,900 towns in India, supported by both 4G and 5G technologies.
In a recent presentation to investors, Airtel disclosed significant network expansions. Specifically, the company deployed 1,700 new towers in Gujarat over the past seven months, accelerating its pace of growth. This buildout, averaging more than eight new sites per day, has expanded coverage to approximately 5 million people in Gujarat, India’s fifth-largest state by area.
As of June, Airtel boasted approximately 324,500 towers across India, up by more than 40,000 from the previous year. Additionally, the number of base stations increased 11.1% to 947,377 units, showcasing Airtel’s strategic focus on scaling its infrastructure.
During a recent investor call, Gopal Vittal, CEO of Bharti Airtel, shared that the company ended its first fiscal quarter of 2025 on June 30 with 90 million 5G subscribers. This represents a significant increase from the previous fiscal quarter’s 72 million 5G customers.
In response to growing traffic demand, Airtel has begun re-farming its mid-band spectrum. This strategy aims to optimize existing frequencies for improved 5G performance. The company is repurposing spectrum in the 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.3 GHz bands to enhance its services.
Adding to its portfolio, Airtel is collaborating with top vendors like Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung for 5G equipment. A recent milestone includes the successful completion of a 5G Non-Standalone cloud RAN trial with Nokia. Conducted using 3.5 GHz spectrum for 5G and 2.1 GHz for 4G, the trial achieved impressive data throughput, highlighting the potential of cloud RAN solutions.
Airtel’s spectrum acquisitions further bolster its network capabilities. The company secured a total of 19,800 MHz in various bands during a 2022 auction and added more spectrum in 2024 to expand its 5G offerings.
