In 2024, Indian telecommunications service provider Bharti Airtel (Airtel) was on an aggressive expansion trajectory. From 5G and Wi-Fi expansion to B2B innovations and artificial intelligence (AI) integration in data centers, Airtel covered a broad spectrum, strategically deploying resources to meet customer demands. AI was implemented where required, such as in the AI-powered spam solution. We've already highlighted key announcements from Airtel Business, the B2B arm of Bharti Airtel, this year. Now, let's take a quick and concise overview of developments from Airtel in its B2C segment in this 2024 Year-End Review.
Also Read: Bharti Airtel in Aggressive Expansion Mode in India
1. Airtel 5G Plus
As we know, network rollout and expansion is a never-ending journey in the telecommunications sector. Airtel has turbocharged its network with the deployment of additional spectrum it acquired in the auction and has been expanding its 5G network. Airtel has added around 34,000 towers year-on-year, delivering network coverage in over 5,000 cities and about 20,000 villages. With the latest multi-billion 4G and 5G extension deals awarded to Nokia and Ericsson, we can expect the network experience to improve in the New Year 2025.
Also Read: Airtel Business: Key B2B Advancements and Innovations in 2024
2. Airtel Wi-Fi Service
Airtel rapidly expanded its Wi-Fi services in 2024, combining Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and FTTH. As of Q2FY25, Airtel is live in over 2,000 cities with its Wi-Fi services. Airtel has also expanded FWA services and optimised the cost of CPE this year. More details can be found in the link below.
Also Read: Airtel Expands FWA Coverage in Q2FY25 and Optimises CPE Costs
3. Rural Network Expansion
As part of its Rural Enhancement Project (REP), Airtel expanded its network by deploying new sites and covering previously underserved locations. In 2023, Airtel set an ambitious target to expand its network by deploying over 30,000 sites to extend coverage to around 60,000 villages by 2024. Early in 2024, announcements centered around the progress of rural network expansion by Airtel.
Recently, reports indicate that Airtel is embarking on a journey to refarm 4G spectrum and boost 5G coverage and capacity in 14 rural (B&C) circles with a cost-effective spectrum strategy, anticipating a surge in demand in 2025. More about this can be read from the link below.
Also Read: Airtel to Expand 5G in Rural Areas with Cost-Effective Spectrum Strategy: Report
4. Network Expansion in the Most Remote Areas
Airtel has not just expanded its network in densely populated urban and rural areas but has also extended coverage to the most remote border villages.
Airtel connected commuters in India's first underwater metro in Kolkata, enhanced coverage across Leh and Ladakh ahead of summer holidays, and became the first service provider to offer connectivity to Phobrang, India's furthest border village.
Airtel was also the first to provide connectivity along Pune's newly constructed Metro route and across Line-3 of Mumbai Metro, connecting BKC to Aarey.
Recently, Airtel partnered with the Indian Army to connect villages in Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipore districts along the Line of Control (LOC) in North Kashmir.
Also Read: Airtel Partners With Indian Army to Connect Villages Along LOC in North Kashmir
5. Deploys FSOC Technology
Airtel is deploying Free-Space Optical Communications (FSOC) technology to address the limitations of traditional fiber and microwave technologies. Using beams in the unlicensed high-terahertz spectrum range, FSOC offers several advantages, including cost efficiency, low energy consumption, and ease of deployment. Airtel has deployed FSOC in four Indian states: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. More details can be found in the linked story.
Also Read: Bharti Airtel Deploys FSOC to Expand Coverage and Enhance Capacity
6. Technology Demonstrations
In partnership with Ericsson, Airtel demonstrated mmWave 5G functionality on the Airtel network, achieving peak speeds of 4.7 Gbps, showcasing mmWave's potential for high network capacity requirements.
Nokia completed its first 5G non-standalone (NSA) Cloud RAN trial with Airtel in India in 2024, successfully performing data calls with commercial user devices over Airtel’s network, achieving throughput of over 1.2 Gbps.
Additionally, Airtel, Nokia, and MediaTek successfully completed trials combining efficient use of TDD and FDD bands for Uplink on the latest generation chipset. The trial, conducted at Airtel’s tech lab, achieved uplink speeds of 300 Mbps, setting a new benchmark in 5G network performance.
These demonstrations highlight Airtel's ability to leverage technology and deliver a seamless experience to users.
7. AI-powered Network Solution
In September, Airtel launched what it claims is India's first network-based, AI-powered spam detection solution, designed to significantly reduce spam calls and messages for its customers. The solution is available free of charge and is automatically activated for all Airtel customers without the need to raise a service request or download an app.
Airtel’s AI-powered solution has flagged 8 billion spam calls and 0.8 billion spam SMSes within two and a half months of launch. According to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Airtel has also implemented a technical solution to display "International Call" for all calls received from outside the country.
Also Read: Airtel Says Flagged 8 Billion Spam Calls with AI Solution
8. Prepay Spectrum Liabilities
Airtel recently prepaid Rs 3,626 crores to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), clearing all its liabilities for the spectrum acquired in 2016. This brings Airtel’s total prepaid spectrum liabilities to Rs 28,320 crores for the calendar year 2024.
Also Read: Bharti Airtel Prepays Rs 3,626 Crores to Clear 2016 Spectrum Liabilities
9. Tariffs and Plans
Airtel introduced International Roaming Packs for customers traveling across the world, offering access to 184 countries through unified global packs. Additionally, in-flight roaming packs were introduced, with tariffs starting at Rs 195.
In June 2024, Airtel announced revised mobile tariffs, maintaining that the mobile Average Revenue per User (ARPU) needs to exceed Rs 300 to enable a financially healthy business model for telcos in India. These tariff revisions are designed to support substantial investments in network technology and spectrum.
10. Content and Music
Airtel entered into a strategic partnership with Apple to offer exclusive Apple TV+ and Apple Music deals to Airtel customers in India. Airtel sunsetted the Wynk Platform, transitioning eligible users to Apple Music, marking the end of the Wynk Music era in 2024. Recently, Airtel partnered with ZEE5 to offer ZE5 content to Airtel Wi-Fi customers on plans starting at Rs 699, at no additional cost.
Also Read: Airtel Shuts Down Wynk Music: Answering Your Most Common Questions
11. Sustainability
More than half of Airtel’s network sites are now categorised as green sites, meaning if you’re using Airtel’s network, you’re part of its sustainability efforts.
Airtel, in partnership with IDEMIA Secure Transactions, switched to recycled plastic SIM cards, making it the only service provider in India to do so. This initiative will reduce the generation of over 165 tonnes of virgin plastic and cut CO2 emissions by over 690 tonnes annually.
Airtel’s data center arm, Nxtra, has also initiated sustainability efforts in 2024, which were discussed recently.
In October 2024, Airtel partnered with Nokia to launch the 'Green 5G' initiative, aimed at improving the energy efficiency of its 4G and 5G networks and significantly reducing carbon emissions. The solution is projected to reduce Airtel’s carbon footprint by an estimated 143,413 metric tons of CO2 annually.
Also Read: Airtel Saw No Significant SIM Consolidation or Down-Trading After Tariff Revision
Conclusion
Airtel’s CEO recently stated that, with an industry-leading ARPU of Rs 233 as of Q2FY25, the ARPU drivers remain intact post-tariff revision. Airtel is on track to achieve its immediate ARPU target of Rs 300.
We expected two things to happen with the tariff revision: first, greater SIM consolidation, and second, more down-trading. Both have not materialized, so we are outperforming our expectations on both fronts, said Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and CEO of Bharti Airtel Limited, during the Q2FY25 earnings call.
