The competition among telecom companies to provide fast internet to homes in India is steadily increasing. Previously, fibre cables were used for broadband connections, but now AirFiber services powered by 5G technology are also becoming increasingly popular.
Meanwhile, a new report from OpenSignal, a network performance monitoring platform, has revealed several important insights into the performance of internet companies. According to the report, while Jio may lead in subscriber numbers, Airtel has performed better in internet speed and network quality.
Airtel No. 1 in Download and Upload Speeds
According to OpenSignal’s November 2026 report, Airtel ranked first in average wired broadband internet download speeds. The company’s average download speed was recorded at 38.4 Mbps. BSNL came in second with 37.9 Mbps, and Jio came in third with 30.5 Mbps. Airtel surpassed both companies in both download and upload speeds.
According to the data:
- Airtel’s upload speed was 26.7 Mbps.
- BSNL’s upload speed was recorded at 25.9 Mbps.
- Jio’s upload speed was 21 Mbps.
The report also showed Airtel’s performance in five key categories: network stability, reliable connection, download and upload speeds, and video viewing experience.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean Jio’s internet is poor. Customers’ plans may also be a factor. It’s reported that many Jio customers use affordable 30 Mbps plans, while Airtel customers prefer plans with speeds of 100 Mbps or higher. Consequently, a difference in the average speeds of the two companies may be observed.
Airtel also leads in AirFiber.
Now let’s talk about AirFiber. This is an internet service that delivers internet to homes using a 5G network instead of a fibre cable. Airtel also achieved better results in this regard than Jio. According to an OpenSignal report, Airtel AirFiber’s average download speed was 32.4 Mbps, while Jio AirFiber’s download speed was 25.7 Mbps.
Airtel also led in upload speeds. Airtel’s average upload speed was 20.7 Mbps, while Jio’s was 17.1 Mbps. Airtel also had an edge in network reliability. In this category, Airtel scored 450 out of 1000, while Jio scored 382. This means that Airtel’s connection performed better for home internet usage and for running multiple devices simultaneously.
Jio’s dominance remains intact.
While Airtel may have surpassed Jio in internet speed and network quality, Jio still maintains its dominance in subscriber numbers. According to the report, by the end of June 2026, Jio AirFiber had more than 14 million subscribers. Jio’s total fixed broadband subscribers are estimated to be 28.6 million. This means nearly half of the company’s total broadband users use AirFiber services.
Whose Internet Is Better?
OpenSignal’s data clearly shows that Airtel has performed well in terms of average speed and network experience. However, Jio still leads in terms of customer additions. Therefore, those considering a new broadband or AirFiber connection should not make their decision solely based on the company’s name. It’s best to consider network availability in your area, actual internet speed, plan price, and quality of service before choosing the right connection.
