Bharti Airtel has introduced India's inaugural 5G FWA (fixed-wireless access) service, naming it Xstream AirFiber. Notably, this service is initially accessible in just two cities - Delhi and Mumbai. The CEO of Airtel, Gopal Vittal, highlighted during a recent earnings call that the main challenge to expanding 5G FWA currently lies in the cost of customer premises equipment (CPE). After gathering feedback from these two cities, Airtel will strategize for a broader release of the service.
For further details, check out Airtel Black Rs 1099 Plan – Inclusive of DTH, Fiber, and OTT with Complimentary Installation.
Airtel Xstream AirFiber Plans or Airtel 5G FWA Plans
Bharti Airtel has revealed that Airtel Xstream AirFiber offers a plug-and-play device featuring Wi-Fi 6 technology. This device promises extensive indoor coverage and the ability to connect up to 64 devices simultaneously. Initially, the telco is providing a sole high-speed plan, boasting speeds of 100 Mbps.
The 100 Mbps Airtel Xstream AirFiber plan can be obtained at a monthly charge of Rs 799. Opting for the six-month subscription offers a 7.5% discount, lowering the total cost to Rs 4,435. The customer must pay a security deposit of Rs 2500 for the CPE. Note that the plan might only be accessible through a six-month subscription, with no immediate option for a monthly subscription.
This approach aims to streamline service expenses due to the substantial CPE cost. Additionally, it's important to note that a final billing will include an 18% GST charge. In terms of comparison, the cost of the 100 Mbps plan for both Airtel Xstream Fiber and Airtel Xstream AirFiber remains consistent at Rs 799 per month. However, Xstream AirFiber includes a portable FWA device capable of connecting multiple devices on the move. Nevertheless, subscribers must commit to a six-month payment for Xstream AirFiber.
Further information can be found in Airtel CEO's Strategy for Fixed Wireless Access in India.
Setting Up Xstream AirFiber in 3 Simple Steps
Begin by purchasing the device from a nearby retail store in Delhi or Mumbai. Then, download the Xstream AirFiber app on your smartphone. Finally, use the app to scan the QR code on the product.
Airtel has announced its intention to manufacture all Xstream AirFiber devices within India to support the "Make in India" initiative.
Shaswat Sharma, Director of Consumer Business at Bharti Airtel, expressed, "While home broadband has witnessed rapid growth in India, there remain regions without access to high-speed home internet due to the logistical challenges of laying fiber in a country as vast as India. While fiber to the home guarantees the optimal home Wi-Fi experience, AirFiber serves to bridge this experience gap for others. We are pleased to introduce Xstream AirFiber to consumers in Delhi and Mumbai, with a nationwide rollout on the horizon."