Summary
- Airtel has deployed uninterrupted 5G over the Vidyasagar Setu in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- The operator has laid 1.4 kilometers optical fibre and 6 new network poles.
- Airtel is now the only network operator to connect Kolkata and Howrah with stable 5G connectivity.
When it comes to telecom network connectivity, Bharti Airtel has emerged as one of the leading network providers in India. The brand recently brought 87 districts in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh under the 5G umbrella. Now, it has become the first uninterrupted network provider for the entire stretch of the Vidyasagar Setu.
Airtel brings 5G to India's longest cable-stayed bridge
Airtel has collaborated with the Government of West Bengal, the Public Works Department (PWD), the West Bengal Police Traffic Department and the Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners (HRBC) for this new initiative.
As per the partnership, Airtel has introduced seamless 5G connectivity across the Vidyasagar Setu to achieve “zero drop zones”. The telecom provider laid 1.3 kilometres of fibre optics cable across the entire stretch of the bridge. New network antennas have also been deployed via six connecting poles for stable internet connectivity.
This is a major improvement in the state of West Bengal since the Vidyasagar Setu is responsible for connecting Howrah with Kolkata. It is also one of the most widely used overhead bridges for both commercial and personal travel.
Bharti Airtel CEO, Ayan Sarkar, has mentioned that this initiative is part of West Bengal's smart infrastructure initiative and will help the city's residents enjoy uninterrupted 5G connectivity.
This deployment showcases Airtel’s engineering strength and our commitment to enabling smart infrastructure for the city. Vidyasagar Setu is one of Kolkata’s busiest transport corridors, and uninterrupted connectivity here is critical—not just for commuters, but for emergency services, traffic management, and public safety. Airtel is proud to make this possible.
With Airtel 5G now available over the Vidyasagar Setu, it has added another banner in the telecom operator's name. Currently, the brand caters to almost 36 million customers across states in India. It also operates globally in 17 countries with over 500 million subscribers.
