Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, has confirmed the rollout of its dual-5G mode, combining both 5G NSA (non-standalone) and 5G SA (standalone). The company has deployed this dual-mode network across 13 circles, marking a major step toward upgrading its 5G architecture.
During the Q2 FY26 earnings call, Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal said the operator is transitioning its 5G networks towards “5G Advanced” by introducing dual NSA+SA capability and migrating Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) users onto the same platform. “Today, our FWA customers across 13 circles are already experiencing our dual-mode 5G network with SA,” Vittal said.
Currently, the dual-mode experience is available only for Airtel Xstream AirFiber (FWA) customers. Mobile users will have to wait a bit longer for 5G SA services, which support advanced features like network slicing and improved efficiency.
“For the mobile network, pilots are underway for the 5G dual mode in a couple of circles, and we plan to make it commercial in the coming months as the traffic on our 5G network grows,” Vittal added.
The Airtel CEO did not reveal which circles are part of the pilot. These are expected to be high-demand circles with the largest concentration of 5G users. Airtel reported that its 5G subscriber base touched 167 million at the end of the quarter, making it the second-largest 5G operator in India after Reliance Jio.
The number is expected to rise further, paving the way for a wider rollout of 5G SA in the coming months.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.