Airtel 5G: A Look at the Aggressive 5G Rollout Timeline

Bharti Airtel 5G Rollout timeline in India

Bharti Airtel launched its 5G services during IMC 2022 on October 1, 2022. The initial announcement happened with the launch of Airtel 5G Plus services in eight cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur and Varanasi and within less than 30 days of launch, the company announced that it surpassed 1 million unique customers on its 5G network. In this Analysis, let’s look at the timeline, showing the aggressive nature of Rollouts while also focusing on the announcements made by the telco.

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4 Key Points to Focus

If we carefully observe the announcements, there are details to note.

  1. Open and Commercial announcements – where anyone with a compatible handset can use 5G on existing 4G plans.
  2. Timely Execution – A case in which the telco is aware of the technology and device ecosystem, that it has projected as a reason for advantage.
  3. 5G Rollout Areas – 5G announcements focused on Airports, Key Cities and places, including NorthEast corners of India.
  4. Details and Precision in Announcements – Unlike other announcements where we get to hear every real-estate term (Residential areas, schools, hospitals and high footfall areas etc.) except the place of availability itself, Airtel’s 5G announcements are clear and crisp on where exactly 5G is available in the city with the places included.

Timeline of Airtel 5G Announcements with Details Involved

Sl. NoTimelineDaysTelcoAnnouncementOperational AreasCity Count
11 October 20220AirtelAirtel announced launch of 5G in 8 cities during IMC 2022.8 Cities
36 October 20225AirtelAirtel announced the launch of Airtel 5G Plus in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur and Varanasi.8 Cities
52 November 202227AirtelAirtel announced that it surpassed 1 million unique customers on it 5G network. The company achieved this milestone in less than 30 days of its commercial launch even as the network is being built.8 Cities
63 November 20221AirtelAirtel announced Airtel 5G Plus launch at the new terminal T2 in Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru.Customers can now enjoy blazing speeds on their mobile phones while they are at the arrival and departure terminals, lounges, boarding gates, migration and immigration areas, security gates, baggage claim belt areas etc.Airport 1
810 November 20227AirtelAirtel announced the launch of 5G Plus in Panipat. Airtel 5G Plus, is now live in 9 cities. All of urban India to be covered in 2023 making this one of the fastest roll-outsCurrently operational at Tehsil Camp, Barsat Road, IOCL, Devi Mandir, Bhawna Chowk, and few other select locations.8 Cities + 1 City = 9 Cities
915 November 20225AirtelAirtel announced 5G Plus services in Gurugram.Currently operational at DLF Cyber Hub, DLF Phase 2, MG Road, Rajiv Chowk, Iffco Chowk, Atlas Chowk, Udyog Vihar, Nirvana Country, Gurugram railway station, Civil lines, Ardee city, Huda city center, Gurugram National Highway and few other select locations9 Cities + 1 City = 10 Cities
1017 November 20222AirtelAirtel announced 5G Plus at Pune Airport.Passengers can enjoy blazing speeds on their mobile phones while they are at the arrival and departure terminals, lounges, boarding gates, migration and immigration counters, security areas, baggage claim belts, parking area etc.Airport 2
1118 November 20221AirtelAirtel announced 5G Plus at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi.In Varanasi, the services are currently available at Benaras Hindu University (BHU), Ghatt Road, Adampur, Beniya Bagh Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Rajghat, Sarnath, Sigra, Thateri Bazaar and few other locations.Airport 3
1221 November 20223AirtelAirtel 5G Plus services now live in Guwahati.Currently operational at G S Road, Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Dispur College, Ganeshguri, Christian Basti, Sree Nagar, Zoo Road, Lachit Nagar, Ulubari, Bhangagarh, Beltola and few other select locations.10 Cities + 1 City = 11 Cities

A close look at the timeline shows us that October was a cold month, and it all started in November. The announcements are happening with Airports and Cities as the focus. So far, we have 3 Airports – Bengaluru, Pune and Varanasi – that are 5G enabled and 11 Cities with specific details where exactly 5G is available. We know the excitement carried by users to experience the latest technology, and these places of availability will help customers experience the tech than being clueless about where exactly in the city. Of course, we believe 5G is not a kind of tech that will be made available everywhere and anywhere, at least in the initial phases.