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Bharti Airtel’s new Priority Postpaid service has reopened the debate on net neutrality in India. The telecom operator is offering postpaid users more consistent connectivity during periods of network congestion through a technology known as 5G network slicing.
The move has raised a key question for regulators, telecom companies and policymakers: should some mobile users get priority access to network resources over others?
Network slicing is one of the key features of standalone 5G networks. It allows telecom operators to divide a single physical network into multiple virtual networks, or ‘slices’, designed for different purposes.
One slice can support ultra-low latency services. Another can be used for industrial operations. A separate slice can also be created for consumers seeking more reliable connectivity.
The technology uses software-based systems to allocate bandwidth, latency and network capacity in real time. Telecom operators in countries such as the US, UK, Singapore and South Korea already use network slicing for enterprise and critical services.
Under Airtel’s new offering, postpaid users get access to a dedicated slice that receives priority during periods of heavy traffic. This is expected to improve connectivity at crowded locations such as airports, stadiums, concerts and busy markets.
A premium broadband plan generally offers higher maximum speeds under normal network conditions. All users still share the same network infrastructure. Network slicing works differently. It changes how resources are allocated when the network is congested.
Users on a dedicated slice can receive better access to available capacity, while others may experience slower speeds or higher latency. In both cases, websites and apps are treated equally.
The service is available only for Airtel’s postpaid subscribers. The company had 482 million mobile users in India at the end of March 2026. Around 29 million of them were postpaid customers.
Postpaid users generate higher average revenue for telecom operators and are generally less likely to switch networks. The new offering could help Airtel attract more users to its postpaid plans.
Critics argue that the service creates a fast lane for customers paying more. They say this weakens the principle of equal access to the internet. The company confirms the service does not prioritize any app, website or content provider. All internet traffic inside the dedicated slice receives equal treatment.
Reliance Jio has also stated network slicing can coexist with net neutrality if it remains content-neutral and does not favour specific applications. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT is now examining whether Airtel’s service fits within India’s net neutrality framework.
Also Read: What is Airtel Priority Postpaid? Benefits, Plans, and How to Get Them
