Discussion Expansion of Jio & Airtel Optical Fiber no longer happening after the entry of AirFiber?

[Esmail]

I can give you some idea why Airtel is finding it hard to enter some areas.

While Jio manage their expansion and infrastructure by their own people, Airtel is dependent on LCOs (local cable operators) for their last mile connectivity.

Though this article is old, but it should give you idea what I am talking about: Airtel to expand home broadband through LCO model over the next 6 to 12 months: Gopal Vittal

They are doing this since year 2020 to avoid cable cutting and other problems given by LCOs. However, some areas still have LCOs who either doesn't want to pay the security amount that Airtel needs for materials and other stuff or don't want to work as per Airtel's agreement. So Airtel can not enter those areas.

I can give you example of my city. My city has 30% Airtel Xstream Fiber coverage since quite some time. The rest areas, including my area, falls under different LCO whom Airtel was approaching since 2020 for tie up and he was hesitant. Now after AirFiber launched, he finally agreed to allow Airtel Fiber expansion in our area because Airtel started installing AirFiber in our locality which he couldn't stop. And this is not only my area, in many cities LCOs are now agreeing to allow Airtel tie up with them because of AirFiber entry.

While Airtel only give some commission share to the LCOs for the last mile connectivity and installations, Airtel themselves manage their fiber network similar to Jio. Airtel also keeps the OLT (optical line terminal) access with themselves, it is placed near the towers similar to Jio Fiber OLT and those things are configured by their own engineers. Due to this, the network up time and stability remains top notch.

That's how it should be, the LCOs behave like goons wanting to create a monopoly and prevent the entry of competition in their area. Half of it was tackled by the entry of DTH and now remaining half is being tackled by Air fiber.
A balance of dominance between LCOs, MSOs and Telcos is needed for healthy market dynamics so the subscriber gets choice, the tariffs remain in check and quality of service remains good.

 

[Bapun]

Here is the latest status on my previously shared Airtel Fiber expansion in my city.

Finally, Airtel has begun wiring and installing FAT boxes in my locality. Now the nearest FAT box is approximately 500 to 700 meters from my home. They are also promoting their newly launched service with 'Airtel Xstream Fiber now available in your area' posters throughout the area.

I checked with an Airtel salesperson and with the LCO that it shouldn't take long for the service to reach my street

I noticed something interesting: the newly installed FAT boxes are smaller in size than the previous Airtel FAT boxes I've seen in other places, like on YouTube. It seems Airtel may have recently changed the box design to a more compact size.

 

[TheAndroidFreak]

Here is the latest status on my previously shared Airtel Fiber expansion in my city.

Finally, Airtel has begun wiring and installing FAT boxes in my locality. Now the nearest FAT box is approximately 500 to 700 meters from my home. They are also promoting their newly launched service with 'Airtel Xstream Fiber now available in your area' posters throughout the area.

I checked with an Airtel salesperson and with the LCO that it shouldn't take long for the service to reach my street

I noticed something interesting: the newly installed FAT boxes are smaller in size than the previous Airtel FAT boxes I've seen in other places, like on YouTube. It seems Airtel may have recently changed the box design to a more compact size.

You stay in Mumbai?

 

[Bapun]

You stay in Mumbai?

No.

 

[Bapun]

like earlier Airtel fiber expands all our apartments area, before 1 month launch of Jio fiber in 2020, Jio just sit and think.

Do you mean Airtel Fiber recently expanded on your locality?

 

[praks001]

Airtel will launch iptv before Jio, like earlier Airtel fiber expands all our apartments area, before 1 month launch of Jio fiber in 2020, Jio just sit and test.

Totally agree. In my apartment, Jio Started to build their infrastructure much before Airtel but Airtel was able to start their services just within a few days. Jio took additional one month before they could start taking request for Fiber servies.

 

[Ashok Varma]

Do you mean Airtel Fiber recently expanded on your locality?

Bro it was 2020 story, Airtel was started express installation, before Jio thinking for last mile wiring in our apartment.

 

[Zuke]

Since yesterday, Airtel guys have been promoting their Xtreme Fiber multiple times with loudspeaker. I also saw their cable going to nearby colony from my area (Jio did the same, and then started serving after three years).

I suppose they are just seeing the response from my area for their broadband, which is likely to be disappointing. There are only three broadband users (including me) in the whole locality, with four different broadband - including JioFiber. xD I hope people show their interest on it though. I am really tired of Jio being slow randomly on random websites - though I cannot take new connection right now, since I'll be shifting temporarily. Great timing Airtel!

 

[Bapun]

An insightful article was published by ET Telecom about 5G FWA-to-fiber migration again in the future.

In-depth: 5G FWA-to-fiber migration inevitable in India - ET Telecom

Bharti Airtel: Market tracker Counterpoint Research estimates that 5G FWA users are expected to reach 5 million by the end of 2024, and double to 10 million in 2025 in India.

telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com

(The article requies login so I can not summarize it here)

By the way, our @mmadhankumar bro had predicted this thing many months before (way back in August 2024) and mentioned it in a conversation between us. Let me dump the conversation here as some members may find it interesting to read.

This was our conversation:

Madhan bro:
Imo airfiber is a temporary solution.. Both jio and airtel spent 1000s of crores to buy 5g spectrum. But they haven't launched commercial 5g yet. Also real time 5g use cases are not developed in India as expected. So that 5g spectrum is basically idle and the money invested on it is also idle. They need some returns on that investment na. That's where the airfiber comes in. It utilises that idle spectrum and generates some revenue for them. That's why both jio and airtel promotes airfiber over wired.

But as and when commercial 5g launch happens and 5g use cases becomes a reality they will try to reduce airfiber connections and prioritise wired BB.

Me:
You mean again wired fiber BB will return as their first preference?

Madhan bro:
Absolutely.

Me:
It's unbelievable to imagine that Airfiber is just a temporary solution after all these aggressive advertisements and promotions. ‍

Madhan bro:
When they need that 5g spectrum for it's actual usage that will be given preference na. They can't stop/restrict those services for airfiber imo.

Actually there is another advantage in pushing airfiber now. They can penetrate even to remote areas and make them experience the high speed internet. And when the speed reduces on airfiber they can convert those into wired BB easily.

They might be strengthening their OFC network in the meantime.

Me:
In case of Jio, the OFC network expansion has been completely paused/stopped. While Airtel is still expanding it's OFC network.

Madhan bro:
I am not talking about 1 month or 1 year strategy. It is a long time plan. Maybe 5 yrs time. I really don't expect real life 5g use cases immediately.

 

[Kmr]

An insightful article was published by ET Telecom about 5G FWA-to-fiber migration again in the future.

In-depth: 5G FWA-to-fiber migration inevitable in India - ET Telecom

Bharti Airtel: Market tracker Counterpoint Research estimates that 5G FWA users are expected to reach 5 million by the end of 2024, and double to 10 million in 2025 in India.

telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com

(The article requies login so I can not summarize it here)

By the way, our @mmadhankumar bro had predicted this thing many months before (way back in August 2024) and mentioned it in a conversation between us. Let me dump the conversation here as some members may find it interesting to read.

This was our conversation:

Madhan bro:
Imo airfiber is a temporary solution.. Both jio and airtel spent 1000s of crores to buy 5g spectrum. But they haven't launched commercial 5g yet. Also real time 5g use cases are not developed in India as expected. So that 5g spectrum is basically idle and the money invested on it is also idle. They need some returns on that investment na. That's where the airfiber comes in. It utilises that idle spectrum and generates some revenue for them. That's why both jio and airtel promotes airfiber over wired.

But as and when commercial 5g launch happens and 5g use cases becomes a reality they will try to reduce airfiber connections and prioritise wired BB.

Me:
You mean again wired fiber BB will return as their first preference?

Madhan bro:
Absolutely.

Me:
It's unbelievable to imagine that Airfiber is just a temporary solution after all these aggressive advertisements and promotions. ‍

Madhan bro:
When they need that 5g spectrum for it's actual usage that will be given preference na. They can't stop/restrict those services for airfiber imo.

Actually there is another advantage in pushing airfiber now. They can penetrate even to remote areas and make them experience the high speed internet. And when the speed reduces on airfiber they can convert those into wired BB easily.

They might be strengthening their OFC network in the meantime.

Me:
In case of Jio, the OFC network expansion has been completely paused/stopped. While Airtel is still expanding it's OFC network.

Madhan bro:
I am not talking about 1 month or 1 year strategy. It is a long time plan. Maybe 5 yrs time. I really don't expect real life 5g use cases immediately.

Nice