Today, in our digitally connected world, mobile networks are lifelines. Whether you’re sending a plain text, or a making a business critical video call, perfect and seamless connectivity is essential. Bharti Airtel had emerged as one of India’s biggest telecom players, with a solid reliability, speed, and service reputation. But giants have weak spots too. Recently, many Airtel users across the country have had complaints about frustrating network issues — from calls dropping and slow internet speed to no signal at all.
This post covers a deep dive on the current Airtel network problems – causes, what is being affected, where most complaints are coming from, the response from the company and how you can at least manage for the moment.
The Scope of the Problem: What Are Users Facing?
We’ve seen a deluge of posts and rants about Airtel’s service quality the last few months. Here are the common problems:
- Frequent call drops
- No signal or network outages for hours
- Internet speeds slower than 2G, even on 4G or 5G networks
- Delayed SMS delivery or one-time password (OTP) failures
- Inconsistent coverage inside buildings
Real User Experiences:
- “I was in the middle of a Zoom interview, and my Airtel internet just died on me. I couldn’t reconnect for 20 minutes.” – Delhi user on Twitter.
- “I’ve got 3 bars of signal but my browser keeps showing no internet. It’s useless.” – User in Bangalore.
These are not isolated cases. We’ve heard of so many cases from metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and from tier-2 cities such as Indore, Kanpur, Lucknow so it has become a matter of common knowledge.
Why Is This Happening?
1. High Network Load
Data consumption has boomed as Internet usage has soared with the increase in smartphone subscribers and dependence on video, gaming and work-from-home platforms. This has further strained available network bandwidth, particularly in urban areas.
2. Transition to 5G
Airtel has been ramping up its 5G efforts at a fast pace in India too. And though it is a positive thing for the future, transitions can be disruptive. Legacy infrastructure is being repurposed, and that sometimes impacts 4G networks that are already out there.
3. Infrastructure Gaps
Infrastructure in rural and semi-urban areas has failed to keep up with the number of users. Towers are few and far between, and the few available are plagued by power problems, outdated equipment or poor maintenance.
4. Technical Glitches and Upgrades
It could be due to regular software updates being done to network systems, server migration or maintenance windows which sometimes results in certain facet of the network going down temporarily. But Airtel has consistently done a poor job communicating these proactively, and its users have had to both scratch their heads, and then steam through their noses, and a situation has been a result.
How Bad Is It? Data Speaks
According to OpenSignal’s 2024 India Mobile Network Experience Report:
- Airtel users experienced 2.8% more call drops than last year.
- Average 4G speed dropped from 12.7 Mbps in early 2023 to 9.6 Mbps in Q1 of 2024 in major cities.
- Airtel’s 5G availability is increasing but shows lower speed reliability during peak hours.
In fact, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) in its Q1 2019 report found an over 12% rise in consumer complaints against Airtel in the final quarter alone.
Airtel’s Response: Damage Control or Real Fixes?
Airtel’s reach acknowledged service disruptions, particularly in areas where 5G towers are being upgraded. Their official response in an actual press release, was:
“We are working towards modernizing our network and providing future-ready solutions. Temporary issues may occur during this process, but we are committed to minimizing user inconvenience.”
In addition:
- Airtel has promised rapid infrastructure rollout in smaller cities.
- A dedicated complaint redressal portal is being revamped for better response time.
- AI-driven network management tools are being deployed to preemptively detect and solve outages.
However, user sentiment suggests these actions are not being felt on the ground yet.
Social Media Backlash and User Sentiment
Airtel has been trending on Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, but not for the right reasons. #AirtelDown, #AirtelNetworkIssue, #SwitchFromAirtel all are trending.
Users have even created memes mocking Airtel’s tagline “India’s Best Network”, citing irony.
Key sentiment trends:
- 58% Negative
- 28% Neutral
- 14% Positive (mostly loyal users hopeful for improvement)
Several users have begun to port numbers to rivals like Jio or Vi, which has also adversely affected brand perception of Airtel.
How to Deal With Airtel Network Issues (As a User)
Until Airtel truly resolves its backend issues, here are some practical steps users can take:
1. Switch Between 4G and 5G
Sometimes manually switching between 4G and 5G can restore connectivity. Go to:
Settings > Mobile Network > Preferred Network Type
Toggle between 4G/5G to see which works better in your area.
2. Use Wi-Fi Calling
If your network signal is weak but you have Wi-Fi, enable Wi-Fi calling from the call settings. This uses your broadband to place voice calls.
3. Reset Network Settings
Resetting can fix DNS issues or misconfigured network profiles.
Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth
4. Log a Formal Complaint
Use Airtel’s MyAirtel app or call 198 to log a complaint. Repeated complaints can force the company to take local issues seriously.
5. Consider a Temporary SIM Swap
In case the problem is serious and consistent, having a standby secondary SIM from a different vendor (Jio in this case) may be a wise back-up, even for essential work.
Is It Time to Switch from Airtel?
This is a personal decision. If you’ve experienced ongoing problems and your neighbourhood has not had improvements, it may be worth considering changing provider. But all providers have their unique regional advantages and weaknesses.
Things to check before switching:
- Ask neighbors or local friends which network works best.
- Check mobile speed test apps like SpeedTest or nPerf.
- Visit the telecom store and ask for a network demo (many stores offer this).
The Bigger Picture: Telecom Challenges in India
Airtel’s troubles aren’t entirely unique. Indian telecom giants face several challenges:
- Spectrum pricing and high auction costs
- Low average revenue per user (ARPU)
- Massive rural expansion pressure
- Government regulations and taxes
- 5G roll-out complexities
Yet, people do expect quality service, especially if they’re spending valuable cash on paid plans. As India moves to a digital-first economy, telecom reliability is no longer a business priority but a national one.
Conclusion: Hope Amidst Frustration
Airtel has always led the way – whether it was being ahead of the curve on 4G, or being the first to launch 5G in multiple geographies. But with great power comes great responsibility. Recent disruptions in the network have tried user patience and impacted confidence. For the millions who depend on Airtel to work, to educate and to communicate, this is not an insignificant hiccup — it’s “a real problem.”
Although, Airtel has promised that it’s going to get better, its deeds will speak louder than its press releases. Until then, users must be informed and proactive and have a plan and, if necessary, an exit plan in place — including feedback, backup plans and, again if needed, alternate plans.
Have you experienced Airtel network issues recently? What has worked for you? Share your experience in the comments below. Let’s make our voices heard!
Disclaimer: Information provided is based on publicly available sources and user experiences.
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