Bharti Airtel stock: Q2 growth lifts ARPU as costs weigh
Published on 11/13/2026 at 01:17 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSQuarterly growth and pricing focus
- Bharti Airtel reported consolidated revenue of INR 60,900 crore for Q2 FY27, with EBITDAaL of INR 31,500 crore.
- Mobile ARPU increased to INR 271 from INR 264 as premiumization and pricing changes supported growth.
- Management expects continued ARPU expansion while increasing investment in cloud, AI and digital businesses.
Bharti Airtel reported a mixed second-quarter performance on Friday, November 6, 2026, as higher revenue and profitability came with continued pressure on customer additions. The company discussed the results and its outlook in its Q2 FY27 earnings transcript.
Revenue growth meets investment needs
Consolidated revenue reached INR 60,900 crore in the quarter, while EBITDAaL stood at INR 31,500 crore. Capital expenditure was INR 12,500 crore, leaving operating free cash flow above INR 19,000 crore, according to management.
Airtel said Africa delivered constant-currency revenue growth of 6.7 percent sequentially. India, excluding passive infrastructure, grew 3.2 percent sequentially, while the company continued to invest in cloud capacity and other growth businesses.
Premium plans lift mobile ARPU
Mobile average revenue per user rose to INR 271 from INR 264. The company added 0.7 million revenue-earning customers and 2.9 million smartphone data customers during the quarter. Postpaid net additions reached 1.2 million, lifting postpaid customers to 8.3 percent of the total base.
Management said the latest prepaid pricing intervention had played out and identified plan upgrades, postpaid services, international roaming and top-ups as further ARPU levers. The comments point to a strategy focused on monetizing existing users rather than relying solely on subscriber growth.
Business model and competitive position
Bharti Airtel is an India-based communications group serving customers across South Asia and Africa. Its portfolio includes mobile connectivity, 4G and 5G services, home broadband, digital television, payments, cloud, data centers, cybersecurity, Internet of Things and enterprise communications.
The company operates at large scale across India and Africa, with consumer and enterprise businesses supporting its diversification. In India, Reliance Jio is a principal telecom rival, while Airtel's African operations compete across multiple national markets with established regional operators.
Bharti Airtel company profile
- Company: Bharti Airtel Limited
- ISIN: INE397D01024
- NSE symbol: BHARTIARTL
- Listings: BSE and National Stock Exchange of India
- Headquarters: India
Market conditions in India remain relevant for telecom operators and can be followed in the Indian market environment.
Further company news and analysis are available in the Bharti Airtel stock coverage.
