Tag: Airtel

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Corporate

S&P raises Airtel rating on strong India, Africa growth

Bharti Airtel has received a major vote of confidence from global ratings agency S&P Global Ratings, which upgraded the telecom giant’s long-term issuer credit rating to BBB from BBB-. The upgrade reflects Airtel’s strong business performance, improving financial position and sustained growth across its key markets in India and Africa.

S&P said the rating revision was driven by Airtel’s consistent revenue growth, expanding customer base and strengthening cash flows. The agency noted that the company has successfully improved its profitability while maintaining a strong competitive position in the telecommunications sector.

Airtel’s India business continues to benefit from rising demand for mobile data services, increasing smartphone penetration and higher average revenue per user (ARPU). The company has also strengthened its presence in the fast-growing 5G segment, helping it attract and retain subscribers in an increasingly competitive market.

The ratings agency highlighted Airtel Africa as another important contributor to the company’s growth story. Operations across several African countries have delivered steady revenue gains and improved earnings, providing geographical diversification and reducing dependence on a single market.

According to S&P, Airtel’s financial metrics have improved significantly in recent years. Strong operating performance, disciplined capital spending and effective debt management have helped the company strengthen its balance sheet. The agency expects Airtel to maintain healthy cash generation and continue reducing leverage over the medium term.

The upgrade places Airtel firmly within investment-grade territory and could help lower borrowing costs in future fund-raising efforts. It also signals confidence in the company’s ability to navigate market challenges while sustaining growth.

For investors, the upgrade is seen as a positive indicator of Airtel’s financial health and long-term prospects. It comes at a time when the telecom industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advances and changing consumer behaviour.

As Airtel continues to expand across India and Africa, the S&P upgrade underscores growing confidence in the company’s strategy, operational strength and ability to deliver sustainable growth in two of the world’s most dynamic telecommunications markets.

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Technology

Airtel renames ‘Priority Postpaid’ as ‘Fast Lane’

Bharti Airtel has renamed its recently launched ‘Priority Postpaid’ service as ‘Fast Lane’, while retaining all existing features and benefits of the offering, the telecom operator said. The move comes amid continued debate over whether the service complies with India’s net neutrality framework.

Airtel clarified that the change is limited to branding and that there is no question of withdrawing the service. The company said the new name better reflects the experience offered to users and follows the conclusion of its initial launch campaign. The underlying technology and plan structure remain unchanged.

The service is powered by 5G network slicing technology, which allows Airtel to allocate dedicated network resources to eligible postpaid subscribers. According to the company, users can experience more stable connectivity, faster speeds and improved network performance, particularly in crowded locations or during periods of heavy network congestion.

Airtel has removed references to ‘Priority Postpaid’ from its website and mobile application, replacing them with the ‘Fast Lane’ branding. Users have also reported seeing the new name displayed on supported devices.

The service has attracted attention from regulators and policymakers since its launch. Critics have questioned whether prioritising certain subscribers could conflict with the principle of net neutrality, which requires equal treatment of internet traffic. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the government have been examining the issue, while discussions have also taken place before a parliamentary panel.

Airtel has defended the offering, maintaining that it does not provide preferential treatment to any specific application, website or content. The company argues that the service is content-neutral and fully compliant with existing regulations. It has also stated that prepaid users will continue to receive the same level of service and that the enhanced experience for postpaid users does not come at the expense of other customers.

The rebranding is unlikely to end the debate, with industry experts expecting continued scrutiny of premium network services as telecom operators explore new ways to monetise 5G technology and improve customer experience.

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Technology

Airtel launches Priority Postpaid plans with 5G slicing

Bharti Airtel has launched its new Priority Postpaid plans in India, introducing 5G network slicing to enhance mobile connectivity for users. The new service aims to provide better speed, lower latency, and more stable network performance, especially during peak usage hours.

5G slicing allows Airtel to divide its network into multiple virtual segments and allocate dedicated capacity to specific user groups. With this system, Priority Postpaid customers receive higher network priority, ensuring smoother data usage even in crowded locations such as business districts, events, and transport hubs.

The telecom operator said the new plans are designed for customers who rely heavily on mobile internet for work, streaming, and daily communication. Existing Airtel postpaid users will automatically be eligible for the priority benefits, while others can upgrade to postpaid plans through Airtel’s app or retail outlets.

The Priority Postpaid plans start at around ₹449 per month and go up depending on features and benefits. Higher-tier plans include additional perks such as unlimited calling, data rollover, international roaming options, and bundled OTT subscriptions like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+.

Airtel said the rollout is part of its strategy to monetise its 5G standalone network and improve user experience through advanced technology. The company said the priority service will be especially useful in high-traffic situations where networks often slow down due to heavy usage.

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Corporate

Airtel raises $1 bn for Nxtra

Bharti Airtel has raised $1 billion in fresh funding for its data centre arm, Nxtra, to expand capacity and strengthen its position in the fast-growing digital infrastructure space.

The investment round is led by Alpha Wave Global, with participation from existing investor Carlyle Group and Anchorage Capital. Airtel will also invest in the business and continue to hold a majority stake, ensuring control over its operations.

The funding values Nxtra at around $3 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in India’s data centre market. The company plans to use the capital to significantly expand its infrastructure and meet rising demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, and data storage.

Nxtra currently operates a widespread network of data centres across India, catering to enterprises, government clients, and large technology companies. With digital adoption accelerating, the need for reliable and scalable data infrastructure is growing rapidly.

As part of its expansion strategy, Nxtra aims to increase its capacity from around 300 megawatts to nearly 1 gigawatt over the next few years. This scale-up is expected to support increasing workloads driven by AI applications and data-intensive services.

India’s data centre sector is witnessing strong growth due to rising internet usage, digital payments, and expansion by global cloud providers. This has led to increased investments from both domestic and international players looking to tap into the opportunity.

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Airtel, Tata told to clear AGR dues

The Indian government has asked Bharti Airtel and Tata Teleservices to clear around ₹10,000 crore in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues by March 31, 2026, making it clear that no special relief will be provided.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has rejected requests from both companies seeking concessions similar to those granted to Vodafone Idea. Officials stated that the dues must be paid within the deadline in line with the Supreme Court of India ruling on AGR payments.

If the companies fail to meet the deadline, they could face legal consequences, including possible contempt of court proceedings. The government has emphasized that it is bound to follow the court’s order and cannot make exceptions in this case.

Out of the total dues, Airtel is expected to pay more than ₹5,000 crore, while Tata Teleservices may have to pay over ₹4,000 crore. The final amount could increase further due to accumulated interest.

The AGR issue has been a major challenge for telecom operators in India for several years. It relates to how revenue is calculated for the purpose of paying licence fees and spectrum usage charges to the government. The Supreme Court’s decision had widened the definition of revenue, significantly increasing the dues payable by telecom companies.

While Vodafone Idea recently received relief in the form of extended payment timelines and financial support, the government clarified that the move was specific to that company’s financial situation and does not set a general precedent.

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Technology

Airtel + Google bring AI spam protection to RCS

Bharti Airtel and Google have teamed up to fight spam and fraud on RCS messaging, the upgraded messaging platform that allows users to share media, chat interactively, and receive messages from verified businesses. The partnership uses Airtel’s AI-powered spam detection to screen messages in real time, blocking unwanted or malicious content and ensuring a safer user experience.

With billions of spam calls and SMS already blocked by Airtel, the collaboration brings similar protections to enhanced messaging. Messages from verified businesses are clearly identified, while messages violating Do Not Disturb (DND) settings or containing suspicious links are filtered automatically.

Google said the partnership strengthens trust in RCS and encourages safe adoption of new messaging features. Airtel highlighted that AI-based spam detection at the network level can significantly reduce fraud and protect users from phishing attempts, unsafe links, and unwanted promotions.

The initiative is especially relevant in India, where millions rely on messaging platforms for personal and business communication. By blocking spam before it reaches users’ phones, the system provides peace of mind while making enhanced messaging more reliable.

In addition to filtering spam, the system ensures faster and more secure delivery of legitimate messages. Consumers can now interact with businesses safely, access interactive features, and trust that RCS messaging remains free from malicious content.

Experts say the collaboration sets a global example for integrating carrier-level AI security into messaging platforms. With billions of daily messages, Airtel and Google aim to make RCS safer, smarter, and more user-friendly, positioning India as a leader in secure next-generation messaging technologies.

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Corporate

Airtel Q3 profit falls 55% to ₹6,631 cr

Bharti Airtel reported a mixed set of results for the third quarter, with strong growth in revenue and operating performance, even as net profit dropped sharply compared with last year.

For the quarter ended December, the telecom major’s consolidated net profit fell 55% year-on-year to ₹6,631 crore, down from a high base in the same period last year. The decline was mainly due to one-time gains recorded in Q3 last year, including benefits from the Indus Towers consolidation, and a one-off provision related to labour law compliance during the current quarter.

Despite the fall in profit, Airtel’s core business showed solid momentum. Consolidated revenue rose nearly 20% year-on-year to ₹53,982 crore, driven by steady growth in India operations and continued expansion in Africa. Higher data usage, premium plans, and postpaid customer additions supported the topline.

A key highlight of the quarter was the improvement in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), which increased to ₹259, up from ₹245 a year ago. The rise in ARPU reflects better customer monetisation, tariff discipline, and higher adoption of data-heavy plans. Airtel continues to maintain one of the highest ARPUs in the Indian telecom sector.

Operating profitability also strengthened. EBITDA grew over 25% year-on-year to around ₹31,144 crore, with margins improving to nearly 58%, indicating better cost control and operating leverage. Sequentially, both revenue and EBITDA showed growth, underlining stable quarter-on-quarter performance.

During the quarter, Airtel continued to invest in its network, expanding 4G and 5G coverage, adding new towers, and strengthening its fibre footprint. The company also added more smartphone and postpaid users, supporting long-term revenue visibility.

Management said the underlying business remains strong, with improving cash flows and a healthier balance sheet, even though headline profit numbers were impacted by exceptional items and accounting factors.

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