Airtel 100 Mbps Broadband: From Rs 5,300 in 2012 to Fibre Plans Today

Want Airtel 100 Mbps broadband at home? Back in 2012 a 100 Mbps Airtel connection in Delhi cost over Rs 5,000 a month and came with a data cap. This article recalls that launch and explains how to choose a fast Airtel or other fibre broadband plan today.

Quick answer: Airtel’s home broadband is now sold as Airtel Xstream Fiber, a fibre-to-the-home service with plans from basic speeds up to 1 Gbps in many cities. A 100 Mbps plan is now a mid-range option, far cheaper than in 2012. Check availability for your address on the Airtel website or app, compare current plans, and ask about installation and router charges before you sign up.

Airtel 100 Mbps broadband in 2012: what it was

In November 2012 Airtel launched broadband plans of up to 100 Mbps in Delhi and upgraded the speeds of its other plans, so customers could get almost double the speed for a lower bill.

• Price and limit: the 100 Mbps plan cost Rs 5,299 a month plus tax, with 175 GB of data. After the limit the speed dropped to 512 kbps, with no extra charge.
• Fibre only: old copper DSL lines (which also carried your telephone) supported up to about 16 Mbps. The 40 to 100 Mbps plans needed a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) cable, which Airtel installed free where its fibre network had reached. These plans were standalone, so the landline did not work with them.
• 16 Mbps became cheap: my area did not have fibre yet, so the best I could get on copper was a 16 Mbps plan with a 30 GB limit for Rs 1,699. A 16 Mbps plan with 80 GB cost Rs 2,599. If you didn’t download many large movies, 30 GB was plenty then.

Airtel did not upgrade old plans automatically

When I called Airtel support, I learned that they would keep charging for an older, more expensive plan until the customer asked to change it. That advice still holds: check your provider’s current plans every few months, and switch when a better deal appears.

How to get Airtel 100 Mbps broadband today

Fibre has spread widely since 2012. Here is how to get a fast connection now:

1. Check availability. Enter your address on Airtel or in the Airtel Thanks app to see whether Xstream Fiber reaches your building.
2. Compare plans. Look at speed, monthly price, data policy, bundled OTT apps and any landline. Prices change often, so use the live plan page rather than old articles.
3. Ask about one-time charges. Check installation, router and security deposit terms, and whether long-term (6 or 12 month) payments give a discount.
4. Compare other providers. Jio (JioFiber and AirFiber), ACT Fibernet, BSNL and local cable operators may offer better value in your area.
5. Use a good router. Wi-Fi often limits real speed more than the plan. For larger homes, see our guide on how to increase Wi-Fi range at home.

Is 100 Mbps enough?

For most homes, yes. 100 Mbps comfortably handles HD and 4K streaming, video calls, online gaming and working from home on several devices at once. Higher speeds help mainly when many people use the connection heavily at the same time, or when you often download very large files.

Once connected, you can check your Airtel broadband usage and read our tips to get the most from your internet service provider.

FAQ

Does Airtel still offer 100 Mbps broadband?

Airtel Xstream Fiber offers a range of speeds, and 100 Mbps-class plans are common. Check the Airtel website or app for the current plans in your city.

Why was Airtel 100 Mbps so expensive in 2012?

Fibre to the home was new and covered only some areas, and the plan cost Rs 5,299 a month with a 175 GB data limit. Fibre is far more widespread now, so prices have fallen a lot.

Can I get 100 Mbps on a copper phone line?

Not on Airtel’s old DSL lines, which supported up to about 16 Mbps. Fast plans need a fibre connection to your home.

Will Airtel move me to a better plan automatically?

Don’t count on it. Review your plan regularly and ask your provider to switch you when a better-value plan is available.