Bharti Airtel is refarming its 4G spectrum in 2300 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands to increase 5G coverage and capacity in state and rural areas (B&C circle) which include markets in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (UP)-East, UP-West, Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and Northeast. The telco is anticipating a surge in demand for next-gen mobile broadband service in 2025.
The telco has also planned mass software upgrades to convert its 4G base stations in these markets to emit 5G signals at virtually one-thirteenth to one-twentieth of the cost of investing in new 5G base stations running on 3.5 GHz airwaves (C-band 5G spectrum).
Further, a slice of 900 MHz spectrum will also be refarmed to fill 5G coverage gaps in markets experiencing a surge in demand due to upgrades from 4G. The company aims to bolster its 4G and 5G networks and upgrade its remaining 2G users in state and rural (B&C) circles.
