Telecom giant tells DoT panel that 5G network slicing will not impact prepaid users and is crucial for India’s future 6G ecosystem

India’s telecom sector has entered a fresh debate over net neutrality after Bharti Airtel defended its newly launched “Priority Postpaid” service before a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) panel. The company clarified that the premium feature, powered by advanced 5G network slicing technology, does not violate existing telecom regulations and will not reduce internet quality for prepaid users.

The clarification came after questions were raised over whether Airtel’s service gives unfair network preference to a specific category of customers. Airtel, however, maintained that the offering is completely “content-neutral” and does not discriminate against any website, application, or digital platform.

What Is Airtel’s Priority Postpaid Service?

Airtel introduced the “Priority Postpaid” feature on May 19, targeting customers who require stable and uninterrupted internet connectivity, especially in crowded areas such as stadiums, airports, malls, and large public events. The service uses 5G network slicing, a technology that creates a dedicated virtual lane within the telecom network to manage traffic more efficiently.

According to the company, the feature ensures smoother data performance during peak traffic periods without compromising overall network quality for other users.

Airtel stated that the service does not include practices such as blocking, throttling, zero-rating, or content-specific prioritisation, which are commonly associated with net neutrality violations.

Airtel Says Prepaid Users Will Not Be Affected

In its submission to the DoT committee, Airtel highlighted that current 5G network utilisation during busy hours is only around 38 per cent. Of this, postpaid traffic contributes nearly 4 per cent.

The telecom operator explained that after introducing the dedicated network slice for Priority Postpaid users, traffic utilisation may increase to around 6 per cent, still leaving substantial unused network capacity. Airtel argued that prepaid and regular users will continue to have access to nearly 60 per cent of available network resources, ensuring there is no degradation in service quality.

The company stressed that the premium service is designed to optimise network efficiency rather than create inequality among users.

Company Warns Against Limiting 5G Features

Airtel also cautioned policymakers against restricting mainstream 5G capabilities such as network slicing. The company said these technologies are globally recognised as essential building blocks for future telecom innovations, including 6G.

Industry experts believe network slicing could play a major role in supporting sectors like autonomous vehicles, smart manufacturing, telemedicine, gaming, and enterprise cloud services in the coming years.

Airtel argued that limiting the commercial use of such technologies may slow India’s digital infrastructure development and reduce the country’s competitiveness in next-generation telecom services.

Growing Debate Around Net Neutrality

The launch of Priority Postpaid has reignited discussions around net neutrality in India’s telecom industry. Net neutrality principles require internet service providers to treat all online traffic equally without giving preference to any application, service, or customer segment.

While Airtel insists its service remains fully compliant with regulations, industry observers believe the DoT and TRAI may continue examining how advanced 5G services evolve in the future.

The development comes at a time when telecom companies are aggressively expanding 5G monetisation strategies to improve revenues after making heavy investments in network infrastructure.