Jio outpaces Airtel in converting 5G coverage to real-world usage: Opensignal

Reliance Jio customers use much more 5G data than Airtel customers, even in places where both operators show 5G coverage, according to a new report from mobile analytics firm Opensignal.

Opensignal’s analysis links this gap to how each company built its 5G network. Jio runs a standalone 5G core, so when users see a 5G signal, their data typically travels over a 5G network end-to-end. Airtel uses a non-standalone setup that leans on its 4G core. In practice, a phone can show a 5G icon while most data still moves over 4G, limiting the real-world impact of 5G coverage. The result: Jio converts more of its 5G footprint into actual 5G usage, while Airtel’s 5G presence on the signal bar often does not match what happens to the data underneath.