Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:Telecom giant Bharti Airtel has announced that it has started transition from 5G to 5G Advanced, Managing Director Gopal Vittal announced during Bharti Airtel’s Q2 2025 conference call. The company is said to be planning to deploy a dual-mode 5G network commercially in India. It basically operates on a Non-Standalone (NSA) + Standalone (SA) model, according to a report by Techlusive.
Based on the details shared by Vittal, quoted by Gadgets360, Airtel’s 5G Advanced transition is not just a network upgrade. With the new dual-mode network, users can expect faster downloads, smoother streaming, and more stable calls, even in crowded areas.
The telecom operator is already collaborating with partners like Ericsson and the Volvo Group to explore how this new network can power next-gen technologies in India.
Earlier this year, Airtel shared that it’s working on some interesting projects around Extended Reality (XR), Digital Twin simulations, and AI-based automation using its 5G-Advanced network. These technologies aren’t just buzzwords, they could soon help in real use cases such as manufacturing, logistics, and even smart cities.
For now, the company’s focus is on expanding coverage and stability across major circles before opening it widely to consumers. The pilot rollout is currently active for fixed wireless access (FWA) users in select cities, giving households and small businesses a preview of faster, broadband-like connectivity over the air.
Industry experts believe Airtel’s approach – combining NSA and SA networks – is a practical way to deliver advanced 5G benefits while preparing for the long-term goal of a fully standalone 5G-Advanced network. This approach helps Airtel maintain the right balance between performance, cost, and scalability, especially as more 5G-compatible devices enter the Indian market.
Simply put, Airtel’s move is laying the foundation for India’s next phase of connectivity. From smoother video calls and lag-free gaming to smarter factories and connected cities, 5G-Advanced is built to make these experiences more effortless and accessible.
It may take a few more months for everyone to experience it, but the shift has already started. With its gradual rollout, Airtel is setting the stage for India’s next big leap in mobile technology — one that aims to connect not just people, but ideas and industries too.