The company’s revenue from operation stood at Rs 49,463 crore which was up 28% versus Rs 38,506 crore posted in the corresponding quarter of the last financial year. The topline was higher than the estimates of Rs 48,880 crore.
The second largest domestic telecom operator in terms of subscriber base, reported an average revenue per user (mobile ARPU) of Rs 250 in Q1FY26 versus Rs 211 in the year ago period.
Bharti Airtel’s quarterly revenues were up 3.3% QoQ versus Rs 47,876 crore in Q4FY25. The company attributed the YOY and sequential uptick to strong performance in India and rebound in Africa on reported currency.
The second largest domestic telecom operator in terms of subscriber base, reported an average revenue per user (mobile ARPU) of Rs 250 in Q1FY26 versus Rs 211 in the year ago period.
Airtel India business
India business posted quarterly revenues of Rs 37,585 crore which was up 29% YoY and 2.3% QoQ, backed by improved realisations in mobile segment and strong momentum in homes business.The India mobile services reported a 21.6% YoY revenue growth driven by ARPU improvement and continued strong additions of smartphone customers.Homes business growth trajectory further improved with a 25.7% YoY increase in revenues.
Airtel Business saw revenues decline by 7.7% YoY due to portfolio transformation, aligning with company’s strategic objective to discontinue low-margin business, the company filing said, adding that the underlying revenue performance remains steady.
Digital TV revenues decreased by 1.8% YoY while Passive Infrastructure Services recorded a revenue increase of 4.3% QoQ, driven by 2,500 sites additions in Q1FY26.
Airtel Customer additions
Net customer additions were at an all-time high of 9,39,000 in Q1FY26, led by continued momentum in both FTTH and FWA segments.
Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) at Rs 28,167 crore while the EBITDA margin stood at 56.9%. India business posted EBITDA of Rs 22,352 crore while the EBITDA margin was reported at 59.5%, up by 598 bps YoY.
Africa operations
— Revenue (in constant currency) was up 24.9% YoY
— EBITDA margin (in constant currency) stood at 48.1%, up 292 bps YoY. EBIT margin at 31.4%, up 244 bps YoY.
— Customer base stands at 169 million
— Capex for the quarter at Rs 1,034 crore
Management commentary
Commenting on Airtel’s Q1 performance, Vice- Chairman and MD Gopal Vittal said that the company delivered another quarter of consistent growth. “Our India revenue, including Passive Infrastructure Services, increased by 2.3% sequentially. Africa reported solid performance with 6.7% growth in constant currency. India Mobile business recorded a sequential growth of 2.9%, driven by continued focus on portfolio premiumization and an additional day in the quarter. We added 4 million smartphone data customers and maintained an industry-leading Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of Rs. 250 for Q1FY26,” he said.
“Our balance sheet continues to demonstrate strength, supported by solid cash flow generation and disciplined capital allocation,” he added.