Telecom Operator Questions Preferential Network Treatment as Airtel’s 5G Slicing Plans Face Scrutiny

Vodafone Idea has called for an inclusive and equitable digital ecosystem in India, raising concerns over preferential telecom services being offered to select users through advanced 5G network technologies. The company’s remarks come amid growing debate over Bharti Airtel’s recently launched priority postpaid plans powered by 5G network slicing.

Vodafone Idea Chief Marketing Officer Avneesh Khosla said India’s digital growth has been built on affordability and equal connectivity, adding that every customer should receive a fair and consistent internet experience regardless of the type of plan they use.

According to the company, offering preferential speeds or premium network experiences to certain categories of users raises broader concerns around fairness, accessibility and the principles of an open internet ecosystem.

Airtel’s Priority Postpaid Plans Under Regulatory Spotlight

The issue gained attention after Bharti Airtel upgraded its postpaid subscribers to what it calls “priority postpaid” plans. Airtel stated that the service uses 5G slicing technology to ensure more dependable connectivity during periods of network congestion.

5G slicing allows telecom companies to divide a single network into multiple virtual segments or “slices,” each designed for different service requirements and performance levels. Telecom operators globally have been exploring the technology to support applications ranging from premium consumer services to industrial automation and emergency communications.

However, Airtel’s move has triggered discussions around whether differentiated network experiences for premium users could violate India’s net neutrality principles, which prohibit discriminatory internet access and unfair treatment of online content or users.

The parliamentary standing committee on communications and information technology, headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, recently reviewed concerns surrounding the service during discussions with officials from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Vodafone Idea Emphasises Inclusive Digital Growth

Vodafone Idea said innovation and monetisation strategies in the telecom sector should remain transparent, customer-focused and inclusive as India continues expanding its digital economy.

The company stressed that while new technologies and revenue models are important for the future of telecom services, they should not create disparities in internet quality between different categories of consumers.

Industry experts believe the debate could become increasingly important as telecom companies look for new monetisation opportunities after making massive investments in 5G infrastructure across the country.

Airtel Defends 5G Slicing Technology

Bharti Airtel has defended its priority plans, stating that the service remains fully compliant with Indian telecom regulations and does not violate net neutrality norms.

The company has clarified that the offering is content-neutral and does not involve blocking, throttling, preferential treatment of apps or zero-rating practices. Airtel has also reportedly offered to share live network data with authorities and remain accountable for quality-of-service benchmarks.

According to the company, 5G slicing is a globally accepted technology framework that enables efficient network management without discriminating against internet content.

Reliance Jio Also Supports Network Slicing

Reliance Jio has also supported the use of 5G slicing technology in submissions to the parliamentary committee. The company reportedly stated that network slicing is a standard feature of standalone 5G networks and can support multiple public-interest applications and business services.

However, Jio is understood to have suggested that any preferential or differential charging mechanism linked to slicing should remain transparent, technically justified and application-agnostic to ensure compliance with net neutrality principles.

The company also indicated that regulators may seek additional technical details and implementation frameworks from telecom operators to assess whether network slicing services fully comply with existing internet neutrality rules.

Debate Could Shape Future of India’s 5G Monetisation Strategy

The ongoing debate highlights the broader challenge facing India’s telecom sector as operators attempt to monetise expensive 5G investments while maintaining regulatory compliance and consumer trust.

With telecom companies competing aggressively for premium subscribers and higher average revenue per user (ARPU), network slicing and differentiated services could emerge as a key battleground in the coming years.

Industry observers believe the government and regulators may eventually need to establish clearer guidelines around 5G-based premium services to balance innovation, competition and equal internet access for all consumers.