Airtel has initiated its transition from 5G to 5G Advanced with the deployment of a dual-mode 5G network—combining Non-Standalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA) models. Designed to deliver higher speeds, lower latency, and enhanced reliability across India, this dual-mode architecture unites the strengths of both existing and next-generation network cores. This shift marks a key step in Airtel’s broader efforts to advance 5G research and innovation in India.

Strategic Partnership Drives the Move

The move follows Airtel’s recent collaboration with Ericsson and the Volvo Group on a research partnership in India, which calls for the telecom service provider (TSP) to deploy its 5G Advanced network.
Building on this initiative, Airtel has already begun extending 5G Advanced capabilities to its growing customer base.

Also Read| Karnataka Unveils Rs 600-Crore ‘DeepTech Decade’ Plan

Migrating Customers to Dual-Mode 5G

Airtel’s Managing Director, Gopal Vittal, noted that the company has begun migrating its Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) customers to the dual-mode 5G setup. “As of now, Airtel 5G subscribers across 13 circles in India are connected to the dual-mode 5G network with SA,” Vittal stated. This milestone highlights the operator’s efforts to future-proof its network infrastructure while ensuring a seamless transition for users.

Understanding NSA and SA Models

To understand what this migration means, it’s important to look at how the NSA model functions within Airtel’s network. A 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) network utilizes the operator’s existing 4G infrastructure, enabling faster speeds by integrating a 5G interface on top of the 4G LTE network. In contrast, the SA (Standalone) model operates independently of 4G, unlocking ultra-low latency and higher network efficiency—key elements of 5G Advanced capabilities.