Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest mobile carrier, has reported its sixth consecutive quarterly profit rise for the three months ended September 30, 2025 (Q2 FY26). The strong performance was driven by continuous user migration to higher-margin 4G and 5G plans and consistent subscriber additions across its portfolio.
Airtel’s consolidated net profit jumped 89 percent year-on-year to ₹67.92 billion ($772.74 million) for the quarter. Consolidated overall revenue climbed 25.7 percent to ₹521.45 billion. This robust revenue figure includes sales from telecom infrastructure provider Indus Towers, whose numbers Airtel began consolidating from the March 2025 quarter after acquiring a majority stake last year.
The company’s industry-leading Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), a vital telecom metric, saw a 10 percent year-on-year rise to ₹256 for the quarter, significantly higher than rival Reliance Jio’s ARPU of ₹211.4 reported for the same period. The number of 4G and 5G users in Airtel’s customer base surged by 8.4 percent over the past twelve months, highlighting the successful premiumisation of its mobile portfolio. Airtel’s India user base rose 10.6 percent year-on-year to approximately 450 million as of September 30.
Despite the rapid shift to 4G and 5G, millions of Indians in rural areas still rely on 2G feature phones, primarily due to affordability and lower digital literacy. With the impact of the 2024 tariff hikes having largely played out, Indian telecom operators are now focused on pushing users toward higher-value mobile plans.
Both Airtel and Reliance Jio recently scrapped their entry-level 4G and 5G packs during the quarter to encourage customers to adopt pricier, higher-data options, further driving ARPU growth.
In its diversification efforts, Airtel’s DTH business, operating under the brand Airtel Digital TV, reported revenues of ₹7,530 million and maintained a substantial customer base of 15.4 million as of September 30, 2025. The company also noted that its IPTV offering continues to gain traction with strong customer adoption, contributing to the growth of its Homes business.
Gopal Vittal, Vice-Chairman and MD of Bharti Airtel, commented on the results: “We delivered another quarter of solid performance…our solid balance sheet is a reflection of disciplined capital allocation, continued deleveraging and sustained operational excellence.”
The sustained growth in ARPU and the expansion of the high-value 4G/5G base underscore Airtel’s strong operational strategy and financial health in India’s competitive telecom landscape.
Key Highlights:
- Record Profit: Bharti Airtel reported its sixth consecutive quarterly profit rise, with consolidated net profit surging 89% year-on-year to ₹67.92 billion in Q2 FY26.
- ARPU and User Growth: The company achieved an industry-leading Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of ₹256, up 10% YoY. The number of 4G and 5G users grew by 8.4% YoY, driving the premiumisation trend.
- Overall Revenue & User Base: Consolidated revenue climbed 25.7% to ₹521.45 billion, with the India user base growing 10.6% YoY to approximately 450 million.
- DTH Business Stability: The DTH segment (Airtel Digital TV) reported revenues of ₹7,530 million and a stable subscriber base of 15.4 million as of September 30, 2025.