Airtel Introduces Priority Postpaid Service with 5G Slicing Capabilities
Bharti Airtel Launches Priority Postpaid Service Powered by 5G Slicing Technology
Bharti Airtel has launched "Priority Postpaid", a new service that promises a faster, more reliable, and consistent network experience for users even during periods of heavy congestion. The launch marks the first commercial deployment of a slicing-based 5G service in India, a move that reflects the company's continued investment in building a smarter and future-ready digital network.
The new service has been specially designed for postpaid customers who rely on uninterrupted connectivity for work, entertainment, and online collaboration. Airtel has upgraded its 5G network with advanced slicing capabilities that allow intelligent and dynamic segmentation of network capacity to deliver prioritized service to subscribers on the new offering. This technology, a core capability of standalone 5G architecture, enables telecom operators to allocate dedicated portions of network resources for specific users or applications, improving network efficiency, creating additional capacity, and ensuring a more stable and dependable experience for Priority customers.
The Priority Postpaid service will be available across all its postpaid plans, and existing postpaid users will automatically receive the benefit. Prepaid users can migrate to Airtel's postpaid offerings through the Airtel app or by visiting Airtel stores. The company has bundled a range of content and digital services with the plans, including Airtel Xstream Play, Adobe Express Premium, 100 GB cloud storage, Amazon Prime, JioHotstar, Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Netflix.
To access the service, customers will need compatible 5G standalone-enabled smartphones running the latest software versions. Airtel has stated that users can check device readiness and pending software upgrades through the Airtel app.
Airtel's focus on premiumization through differentiated digital and network offerings comes as telecom operators increasingly look beyond tariff hikes. The company's efforts are paying off, with strong ARPU growth seen in the March quarter. Average revenue per user (ARPU) rose to Rs 257 from Rs 245 a year earlier, while the company added 0.8 million subscribers during the quarter, taking its total customer base to 29 million.
| Quarter | ARPU (Rs) | Subscribers Added (mn) | Total Customers (mn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2023 | 257 | 0.8 | 29 |
| March 2022 | 245 | - | 28.2 |
Note: The table compares Airtel's ARPU growth, subscribers added, and total customers for the March quarter of 2023 and 2022.
Investor Takeaway
Investors should consider the potential for Airtel to retain high-value postpaid subscribers with its new Priority Postpaid service.
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