Bharti Airtel 5G plus: Service live in 8 cities, no sim change required | Data plan, launch, speed and other details

Bharti Airtel 5G plus: Bharti Airtel has launched 5G Plus services in eight cities and users will not need to change the SIM card as the existing Airtel 4G SIM is now 5G-enabled. Customers in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur and Varanasi will start enjoying the Airtel 5G Plus services in a phased manner, said the company, as it continues to construct its network and complete the roll out.

The company promises between 20 to 30 times higher speeds than the current speed, coupled with brilliant voice experience and super-fast call connect. Customers who have 5G smartphones will enjoy the high-speed Airtel 5G Plus on their existing data plans until the roll-out is more widespread. "Our solution will work on any 5G handset and the existing SIM that customers have. Our obsession on customer experience is now embellished with a 5G solution that is kinder to the environment," said Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and CEO, Bharti Airtel.

Airtel 5G Plus runs on a technology that has the widest acceptance in the world with the most developed ecosystem. This will ensure that all 5G smartphones in India seamlessly work on the Airtel network. Airtel 5G Plus will allow superfast access to high-definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more.

Customers availing 5G services will have to pay as per their existing 4G plan

The customer availing of 5G services will have to pay as per their existing 4G plan, it said. "Airtel has been at the forefront of India's telecom revolution for the last 27 years. Today marks one more step in our journey as we build out the finest network to deliver the best experience for our customers. For us, our customers are at the core of everything we do. Our solution will therefore work on any 5G handset and the existing SIM that customers have," Bharti Airtel Managing Director and CEO Gopal Vittal said in a statement.

Airtel subscribers getting 5G signals in their area can switch to 5G but if they find that 5G is consuming high data then can switch back to a 4G network. "Access to 5G is optional," the spokesperson said. At present, 5G models of Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme and OnePlus are compatible with Airtel 5G Plus service.

The compatible models include Samsung's flagship devices including Fold series, Galaxy S 22 series, Samsung M32, iPhone 12 series and later models, Realme 8s 5G, Realme X7 series, Realme narzo series, Vivo X50 onwards smartphones, Vivo IQOO series, Oppo Reno5G Pro and another device in the same series launched later, OnePlus 8 and beyond smartphones etc.

Mobile subscribers will get up to 600 megabits per second speed in a 5G network during the launch phase and handsets are expected to work at par with professional computers for accessing apps and data processing, according to industry players. Bharti Airtel competitor Reliance Jio is providing unlimited 5G data during the beta trial to select customers having a 5G smartphone.

Bharti Airtel last week showcased a 5G-connected ambulance to transform primary health care in emergency situations, along with smart farming solutions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 5G official launch in the country.