Summary:
Bharti Airtel has launched India’s first commercial 5G network slicing service, called Priority Postpaid, to provide faster and more reliable 5G connectivity for postpaid customers. Built on standalone 5G architecture, the technology allows Airtel to dedicate specific network resources to priority users, improving connectivity during high-traffic situations. The service is available across all postpaid plans, with pricing starting at INR449 per month and bundled OTT subscriptions included in higher-tier plans. While industry leaders have described the launch as a major step forward for India’s telecom sector, the move has also renewed discussions around net neutrality, as priority users may experience better network performance than regular subscribers during congestion.
Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, has introduced Priority Postpaid, the country’s first commercially available 5G network slicing service, aimed at delivering faster and more stable 5G connectivity for its postpaid subscribers.
The telecom company stated that it has enhanced its 5G infrastructure to improve efficiency, expand usable network capacity, and provide more reliable connectivity for priority customers. Network slicing, which operates on a standalone (SA) 5G architecture, enables telecom operators to dedicate specific portions of network resources to selected users or applications. This marks the first commercial deployment of such a service in India.
Commenting on the launch, Shashwat Sharma said the Priority Postpaid offering is designed to provide a smoother and more dependable network experience, whether customers are on important calls in traffic, streaming content at crowded events, or using ride-booking services in busy public locations.
The feature will be included across all Airtel postpaid plans, and existing postpaid users will automatically gain access to the service. Prepaid customers, however, will need to switch to postpaid plans to use the benefits. According to March 2026 figures, Airtel currently reports the highest average revenue per user (ARPU) in the country at INR257 (US$2.65).
S.P. Kochhar noted that network slicing is an advanced 5G capability already introduced in markets such as the United States, Singapore, China, and parts of Europe. He added that Airtel bringing the technology to India reflects the rapid advancement of the country’s telecom ecosystem.
The Priority Postpaid plans begin at INR449 per month for individual users and go up to INR1,749 for a five-member family package. These plans also bundle entertainment subscriptions including Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and Jio Hotstar along with priority network access.
The launch has also revived discussions around net neutrality, as the service offers enhanced connectivity to a specific group of users. Similar debates emerged in India nearly a decade ago during the rollout of initiatives such as Meta Platforms’s Free Basics programme and Airtel Zero, both of which faced criticism over concerns related to differential internet access.
Unlike Airtel Zero, the new Priority Postpaid service does not favour particular applications or websites. However, it may still create varying user experiences during periods of network congestion, where priority subscribers could receive faster and more stable connectivity compared to regular users.
