NEW DELHI: Airtel may have launched 5G across eight cities, but users of Apple’s iPhone and a large device eco-system of Samsung and other companies such as OnePlus will not be able to access the high-speed services immediately as the smartphone companies need to carry out testing and a software upgrade.
According to sources, the device testing is currently being carried out, with coordination happening between the network providers and smartphone makers.
Airtel chief Sunil Mittal had announced the 5G services launch in eight cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Varanasi, on October 1 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC).
However, for some the wait may be longer. “It may take a couple of weeks for the 5G services to begin on the Airtel network on many devices,” a source said, adding that the matter is being tackled at the highest levels.
“Currently, 5G will not work on any of the Apple devices and also the vast majority of Samsung’s line-up, except the latter’s models such as the Flip 4, Fold 4, S21 FE, Galaxy S22, S22 Ultra & S22+, and some versions of A and M series,” the source said.
Regarding OnePlus, 5G will not work on OnePlus8, 8T, 8Pro, 9R, Nord2, 9RT, though the remaining models will be able to access Airtel 5G.
At the IMC, Mittal had said Airtel will roll out 5G services across several cities by March 2023, and throughout the country by March 2024.
However, as Airtel faces launch hiccups, officials at Reliance Jio — the biggest operator — said that they are trying to address the issue before launch of services. Jio has said that it will launch 5G across key cities from Diwali, and intends to use the period for requisite testing and upgrades.
According to sources, the device testing is currently being carried out, with coordination happening between the network providers and smartphone makers.
Airtel chief Sunil Mittal had announced the 5G services launch in eight cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Varanasi, on October 1 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC).
However, for some the wait may be longer. “It may take a couple of weeks for the 5G services to begin on the Airtel network on many devices,” a source said, adding that the matter is being tackled at the highest levels.
“Currently, 5G will not work on any of the Apple devices and also the vast majority of Samsung’s line-up, except the latter’s models such as the Flip 4, Fold 4, S21 FE, Galaxy S22, S22 Ultra & S22+, and some versions of A and M series,” the source said.
Regarding OnePlus, 5G will not work on OnePlus8, 8T, 8Pro, 9R, Nord2, 9RT, though the remaining models will be able to access Airtel 5G.
At the IMC, Mittal had said Airtel will roll out 5G services across several cities by March 2023, and throughout the country by March 2024.
However, as Airtel faces launch hiccups, officials at Reliance Jio — the biggest operator — said that they are trying to address the issue before launch of services. Jio has said that it will launch 5G across key cities from Diwali, and intends to use the period for requisite testing and upgrades.