Airtel Buys 5G Spectrum from Adani to Expand Coverage Across Major Indian Cities

New Delhi — Bharti Airtel has signed an agreement with Adani Data Networks to acquire 400 MHz of 5G spectrum in the 26 GHz band, covering six key telecom circles. The move will help Airtel improve its 5G coverage and performance in regions where data consumption continues to surge.

The deal involves both Airtel and its regional arm, Bharti Hexacom, and includes spectrum in Mumbai, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan—circles that are critical to Airtel’s overall network performance due to their dense populations and growing digital usage.

Additional Bandwidth to Support Network Load in Urban Regions

The 26 GHz band is part of the millimeter-wave spectrum, which supports extremely fast data speeds and is ideal for high-capacity areas. With more users switching to 5G devices and data-heavy services like video streaming, online gaming, and real-time applications, telecom providers need additional bandwidth to manage increasing load on their networks.

By acquiring this spectrum, Airtel is securing the infrastructure needed to meet growing demand without compromising speed or service quality in cities and industrial hubs.

Deal Completed Through Spectrum Trading, Avoiding Auction Delays

Rather than waiting for a government-conducted spectrum auction, Airtel opted to purchase the airwaves directly from Adani Data Networks through spectrum trading—a route that is permitted under India's telecom regulations. This allowed Airtel to fast-track the expansion of its 5G network, especially in circles where immediate upgrades are required.

For Adani, which had originally acquired the spectrum for private network use in enterprise environments, the sale offers a way to repurpose unused airwaves and redirect them toward commercial telecom services.

Airtel's 5G Growth Targets Backed by New Spectrum Access

Airtel’s 5G services have seen rapid adoption, with around 120 million users already on its 5G network by the end of December 2024, out of a total subscriber base of 414 million. The additional spectrum from Adani allows Airtel to continue that growth without the risk of network strain, especially in densely populated zones.

The company has been steadily rolling out its 5G services across India and is focusing on both consumer markets and enterprise clients who require high-speed, low-latency connectivity.

Competitive Momentum in India's 5G Race

The Indian telecom industry is in a phase of rapid 5G rollout, with major players like Airtel and Reliance Jio building out nationwide networks. Access to high-frequency spectrum like the 26 GHz band is becoming a key asset, especially in urban areas where data use is highest.

This transaction strengthens Airtel’s position in those high-demand circles and reflects the growing role of inter-operator spectrum trading as a practical solution for network expansion in a fast-moving market.

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