Indian Army Partners with Telecom Giant to Connect Remote J&K Villages!

New mobile towers bring vital communication links to villages near the Line of Control.

Airtel has partnered with the Indian Army to provide connectivity to villages in Kupwara, Baramulla, and BandIPOre districts near the Line of Control in North Kashmir. Fifteen mobile towers have been deployed, benefiting locals and soldiers stationed in the region.

Villages Under the PM Vibrant Village Programme

Under this initiative, villages like Kachhal, Balbir, Razdan Pass, and others in Keran, Machhal, Tangdhar, Gurez, and Uri regions are now connected. Airtel is the only private operator offering telecom services in these remote areas.

Supporting Military Connectivity in Challenging Terrains

Airtel has worked with the Indian Army to enhance network services at remote military bases. The company recently established connectivity at the Galwan River and Daulat Beg Oldie, India’s northernmost military post.

Strong Financial Performance in Q2 FY25

Airtel’s consolidated revenue rose to Rs 41,400 Crores, with an 8.7 per cent sequential growth in India revenues. EBITDA margins improved to 54.8 per cent, and the company achieved an operating free cash flow of Rs 11,000 Crores despite spectrum-related debt.

Customer Base Trends and ARPU Growth

Airtel added 4.2 million smartphone users and 0.8 million postpaid subscribers this quarter. ARPU increased to Rs 233, maintaining the company’s leadership in the sector. The 5G user base crossed 105 million, with coverage expanding rapidly.

Broadband and DTH Updates

Broadband services grew by 600,000 customers due to Fixed Wireless Access. However, the DTH segment saw a loss of over 500,000 customers, partly offset by a 65 per cent increase in Airtel Black plan adoption.

Focus on Sustainability and Digital Services

Airtel is driving ESG initiatives like site solarization and carbon emission reduction. It plans to grow its digital services portfolio in areas such as financial services, IoT, and security