Airtel’s 5G-based Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service, branded as AirFiber, is now available in over 2,500 cities as part of its Airtel Wi-Fi offering. This service is integrated into Airtel’s broader home broadband portfolio, which includes both the fiber-based Xstream Fiber and the 5G-powered AirFiber solution. Despite the aggressive rollout of AirFiber, Airtel remains committed to prioritizing fiber connectivity for delivering optimal broadband experiences. In regions where fiber is not yet feasible, AirFiber steps in to bridge the connectivity gap.
Fiber: The Preferred Technology for Airtel
During Airtel’s Q4 FY25 earnings call, Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, emphasized that the company’s home broadband growth strategy is centered around total home additions, not just FWA deployments. He highlighted the ongoing fiber expansion, reiterating that fiber remains a superior technology compared to fixed wireless access. According to Vittal, 40–45% of Airtel’s net broadband additions currently come from AirFiber, reflecting its growing role in areas where fiber is still being rolled out.
“You know that fiber is always a superior technology compared to fixed wireless access because it provides concurrent uplink and downlink at the same levels and has virtually infinite capacity,” Vittal explained.
“One of our main priorities has been to rapidly expand our fiber network. That said, there are still places we haven’t reached, which is where AirFiber plays a crucial role. While about 40–45% of our new additions come from fixed wireless access, we still envision stronger growth through fiber,” he added.
Fiber vs. AirFiber: A Complementary Approach
Vittal clarified that Airtel’s ideal scenario would see the majority of new broadband connections come through fiber, with AirFiber serving as a complementary solution in hard-to-reach areas. “We would ideally like more additions to come through fiber. But fixed wireless access is a great complement, and over time, fiber will chase AirFiber,” he noted.
5G Standalone Deployment: Focused on User Experience
Addressing questions about 5G Standalone (SA) deployment, Vittal reiterated Airtel’s commitment to customer experience over mere technology expansion. He emphasized the need to offload 4G traffic onto the 5G network before moving to SA.
“On 5G SA, we will make that transition at the right time. Our focus is on delivering the best experience, not just deploying technology for its own sake,” said Vittal.
He also mentioned that OpenSignal recently awarded Airtel top rankings in 5G experience across India, reinforcing its commitment to user satisfaction.
AirFiber’s Growing Importance in Rural and Remote Areas
AirFiber has proven especially valuable in rural and challenging terrains like Rajasthan and the North East, where wired broadband infrastructure remains sparse. Addressing an analyst’s question, Airtel’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) highlighted the strategic importance of AirFiber in Bharti Hexacom’s operational regions, where geographical constraints make fiber deployment difficult.
“The lion’s share of new Home acquisitions in Q4 came through AirFiber. In large geographies where wired broadband is absent, a trusted provider like Airtel bringing in FWA sees strong demand,” the CFO noted.
