Bhubaneswar: A broadband connection is critical for the growth and development of individuals,
businesses, and communities in the country. Broadband has become an essential utility that connects
people to the internet, facilitating communication, education, healthcare, commerce and much more.
Furthermore, broadband is crucial in bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to
information and resources for all individuals and communities.
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to high-speed internet, leading to what is commonly known as
the digital divide. To address this issue, Bharti Airtel, one of the leading telecommunications companies,
has launched a new initiative to expand broadband services across India, with the goal of connecting the
entire country and reducing the digital divide. Airtel Xstream Fiber is a high-speed broadband service
from Bharti Airtel offering speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
Promoting broadband adoption across the country requires both the expansion of digital infrastructure,
improving connectivity and affordability. As a telco that is always at the forefront to bring new
technologies to the country, Bharti Airtel is committed to expanding broadband infrastructure and
providing access to high-speed internet in underserved areas. As of December 31, 2022, Airtel Xstream
Broadband service is available in 1,140 cities, up from 847 last year. Airtel has recently announced
expanding Airtel Xstream Fiber services to over 150 new cities. Users can also register their interest with
Airtel for a speedy expansion of the Broadband service to their locality.
While Bharti Airtel is making efforts to expand digital infrastructure for broadband services in India, in
another initiative to close the digital divide, it has launched two new affordable Broadband plans, called
Broadband Standy Plans, launched for first-time broadband customers. These new plans are part of
Airtel Xstream Fiber offerings and aim to enhance broadband infrastructure and promote access to high-
speed internet services at affordable prices. These Xstream Fiber Standby plans, starting at Rs 199 and
Rs 399 per month, with speeds of up to 10 Mbps, offer unlimited voice calling and unlimited data. The
399 plan also provides access to various OTT content and turns linear TV into a smart box.
The Rs 199 entry-level 10 Mbps plan is available for a duration of 5 months and includes a free Wi-Fi
router. The plan costs Rs 1,674 in total, which includes a one-time installation charge of Rs 500 and GST.
The other Airtel’s Standby broadband plan costs Rs 399 and offers unlimited data at 10 Mbps speeds,
along with a free Wi-Fi router, Xstream box, and access to over 350+ TV channels. The total cost,
including one-time installation charges of Rs 500 and GST, is Rs 3,000 for a period of 5 months.
Airtel Broadband Standby Plans or Airtel Xstream Fiber Lite plans that come in two variants cater to
customers who are new to broadband and require affordable and reliable home broadband for light
usage. Despite these efforts, there is still a long way to go to ensure everyone can access high-speed
internet in India. Bharti Airtel continues to invest in broadband infrastructure and work towards
increasing access to high-speed internet services. Bharti Airtel believes that bridging the digital divide
can provide equal opportunities for all to prosper in a digital world.
