As India's telecom giants, Reliance Jio and Airtel, extend their services into wireless broadband, their Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) offerings—Jio AirFiber and Airtel Xstream AirFiber—are designed to provide high-speed internet without the need for traditional fiber optic cables. This comparison highlights their plans, speeds, data limits, and additional benefits to help users make an informed choice.
Understanding Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)
Both Jio AirFiber and Airtel Xstream AirFiber deliver internet via wireless signals from nearby towers, eliminating the need for physical cable installations. This makes it a convenient solution, particularly for areas where laying cables is difficult or unavailable.
Jio AirFiber Plans
| Price (INR + GST) | Data (GB) | Validity (Days) | Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rs. 599 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 30 |
| Rs. 899 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 100 |
| Rs. 1199 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 100 |
Jio AirFiber Max Plans
| Price (INR + GST) | Data (GB) | Validity (Days) | Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rs. 1499 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 300 |
| Rs. 2499 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 500 |
| Rs. 3999 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 1000 (1 Gbps) |
Airtel Xstream AirFiber Plans
| Price (INR + GST) | Data (GB) | Validity (Days) | Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rs. 699 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 40 |
| Rs. 799 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 100 |
| Rs. 899 | 1000 | 30 | Up to 100 |
Speed and Data Throttling
Jio AirFiber offers speeds up to 1 Gbps, while Airtel Xstream AirFiber reaches a maximum of 100 Mbps. After exceeding the monthly data limit, Jio throttles the speed to 64 Kbps, whereas Airtel reduces the speed to 2 Mbps. Jio also offers data sachets as add-ons to boost speeds after the limit is reached, a feature currently unavailable with Airtel.
OTT Benefits
Both services come with OTT platform subscriptions, but Jio provides a more comprehensive package with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and others. Airtel's offering includes Disney+ Hotstar and Xstream Play.
Airtel is likely to lose a lot of its broadband user base to Jio Airfiber. Just check out the offering. 😳👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/bpUVAmM3cj
— maithun (@Being_Humor) September 19, 2023
Availability
Jio AirFiber has a wider reach, serving 5,846 towns across India. Airtel Xstream AirFiber, on the other hand, is available only in select cities.
Conclusion
When comparing Jio AirFiber and Airtel Xstream AirFiber, Jio’s offering seems to stand out with higher speeds, extensive OTT benefits, and wider availability. Airtel Xstream AirFiber offers a more budget-friendly alternative but with limitations in speed and coverage. Ultimately, the choice will depend on the user's specific needs, location, and desire for additional entertainment perks.
