Bharti Airtel reported an ARPU (average revenue per user) of ₹256 for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 (Q2 FY26).
This is up from ₹233 in Q2 FY25, representing roughly a 10% year-on-year increase.
What’s Driving the ARPU Growth
- Airtel attributes the increase to “premiumisation” of its subscriber base – more smartphone users, more data consumption, more value-added services.
- The mobile segment saw a strong jump in data usage per user (28.3 GB per month) in Q2.
- Postpaid customers and higher-end plans are gaining share, which help lift ARPU. Experts cited in media expect the ARPU to move toward ₹275-₹300 in coming quarters.
Broader Financial Performance
Alongside the ARPU uptick:
- Consolidated revenues stood at approx ₹52,145 crore in Q2 FY26, up ~25.7% YoY.
- India business revenue was ~₹38,690 crore, up ~22.6% YoY.
- EBITDA margin remained strong at 57.4% for the quarter. Business Standard
Implications & What to Watch
- The ARPU increase is a positive sign for telecom monetisation in India — it suggests that operators are moving beyond pure subscriber count growth toward higher revenue per customer.
- If Airtel maintains the pace, achieving ARPU of ₹275-300 could further bolster profitability and asset returns.
- Key factors to monitor: whether the ARPU increase is sustainable (given competitive pressures and regulatory risks), and whether it comes with higher churn or cost pressures.
- Also worth watching is whether competitors follow suit and how tariffs evolve across the industry — higher ARPU may set the stage for broader tariff hikes.
