Bharti Airtel Limited has received a regulatory order from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) imposing a financial disincentive of ₹21,07,116.60 for alleged non-compliance with Quality of Service regulations. The telecommunications major disclosed this development through a regulatory filing under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations on April 22, 2026.

Regulatory Action Details

The penalty stems from alleged violations of the Quality of Service (Code of Practice for Metering and Billing Accuracy) Regulation, 2006 for the financial year 2021-22. The company received the TRAI order on April 22, 2026 at 1600 hours IST.

Company's Response

Bharti Airtel has expressed disagreement with TRAI's order and indicated that it will take appropriate action to contest the penalty. The company has stated in its regulatory disclosure that it does not agree with the order and will pursue suitable remedial measures.

Financial Impact

According to the company's disclosure, the maximum financial impact is limited to the extent of the financial disincentive levied by TRAI. The penalty amount of ₹21,07,116.60 represents the quantifiable monetary impact on the company's operations.

Regulatory Compliance

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 read with Clause 20 of Para A of Part A of Schedule III of SEBI Listing Regulations. Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Rohit Krishan Puri signed the regulatory filing, confirming that the information provided is true, correct and complete to the best of the company's knowledge and belief.

This regulatory action highlights the ongoing scrutiny of telecom operators' compliance with quality of service standards, particularly in areas of metering and billing accuracy that directly impact customer experience and service delivery.

Bharti Airtel has announced a major expansion of its 5G network infrastructure across Maharashtra and Goa, deploying over 3,400 new sites in the past 12 months. The telecommunications giant's strategic network enhancement aims to deliver faster speeds, wider coverage, and improved network experience for millions of customers across the region.

Network Expansion Details

The comprehensive network expansion spans 36 districts across Maharashtra and Goa, bringing high-speed 5G connectivity to over 22 million customers. The deployment covers diverse geographical areas, from bustling cities and fast-growing towns to remote rural villages, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the region.

Focus on Underserved Areas

The expansion particularly emphasizes connectivity in emerging and underserved districts, including Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, and Sindhudurg. These site additions effectively bridge connectivity gaps, foster digital inclusion, and enable reliable access to high-speed services for previously underserved communities.

The enhanced 5G footprint enables seamless access to high-speed services that power the everyday digital needs of various user segments:

• Citizens and students
• Micro-businesses
• Tourists
• Government institutions

Service Enhancements and Customer Benefits

With more than nine new sites going live daily, customers across Maharashtra and Goa can expect significantly improved digital experiences. The network expansion delivers smoother streaming, faster downloads, uninterrupted online work and learning capabilities, and more reliable digital payment services regardless of location.

Rabi Shankar Mishra, CEO – Maharashtra & Goa, Bharti Airtel, commented on the expansion: "Data demand across Maharashtra and Goa continues to grow rapidly, and our focus is to stay ahead by consistently strengthening our network. With the addition of 3,400+ new 5G sites, we are delivering faster speeds, wider coverage and a more reliable experience for over 22 million customers."

New Unlimited Data Offering

Complementing the network expansion, Airtel has introduced a fully unlimited data plan in its ₹399 recharge pack specifically designed for smartphone users. This offering aims to provide seamless streaming, studying, working, and connectivity without data limit concerns.

The network investments extend across rural and semi-urban villages, highways, border areas, and key economic and cultural corridors, ensuring robust connectivity even in high mobility and high usage zones. This comprehensive approach reflects Bharti Airtel's commitment to bridging connectivity gaps and supporting the region's digital growth with future-ready network infrastructure.