Here’s an up-to-date comparison between Jio AirFiber and Airtel Xstream AirFiber—India’s new Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) home internet offerings powered by 5G:
Availability & Market Reach
- Jio AirFiber is available in eight major Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. The Indian ExpressBusiness Today
- Airtel Xstream AirFiber currently serves only Delhi and Mumbai, with plans to expand further. The Indian ExpressThe Times of India
- In Uttar Pradesh East (including Lucknow), Jio dominates the 5G FWA market with an 87.7% share, while Airtel trails significantly. The Times of India
Pricing & Plans
Jio AirFiber (as of late 2023)
- Starting at ₹599/month for 30 Mbps with TV and OTT benefits.
- ₹899: 100 Mbps with OTTs, ₹1,199: 100 Mbps + unlimited calls & more OTTs.
- AirFiber Max: ₹1,499 for 300 Mbps, ₹2,499 for 500 Mbps, and ₹3,999 for 1 Gbps. Business Today
- Installation fees: ₹1,000 (3-month plan), waived for annual plans; ₹500 for semi-annual. 91mobilesJio
Airtel Xstream AirFiber
- Priced at ~₹799/month for 100 Mbps (or ₹4,435 for 6-month plan), with a refundable security deposit of ₹2,500. Total ~₹7,733 for the first six months. The Times of IndiaBusiness Today
Installation & Equipment
- Jio AirFiber requires professional installation of an outdoor unit (on terrace/roof). The Indian ExpressJio
- Airtel Xstream AirFiber offers plug-and-play self-install via their app—quick setup. The Indian ExpressSmartprix
Features & Add-ons
- Jio includes OTT subscriptions, 550+ digital TV channels, a 4K set-top box, and voice-remote—integrating TV and broadband. Jio
- Airtel currently doesn’t bundle OTT content or TV hardware with its AirFiber. Smartprix
Speeds & Data Policies
- Jio offers speeds up to 1 Gbps on top-tier plans. Business TodaySmartprix
- Airtel caps speed at 100 Mbps. Smartprix
- After data limits:
- Jio offers data sachets (top-up options) to boost speeds mid-cycle, Airtel does not. Cashify
Real-World User Feedback
Some Negative Experiences:
- Downtime, latency, and unreliable support reported from several regions:
“JIO connection isn’t reliable … get Tata” Reddit
“Air Fiber is the worst decision I’ve made—it’s a scam… I can’t play any online games due to constant lag and severe packet loss.” Reddit - Streaming/TV issues and inconsistent speeds:
“Biggest negative for me is the TV experience… upload speed fluctuations too frequent.” (Pune user) Reddit
“If you have to use Internet for anything work‑related … absolutely horrible experience … don’t even think about Jio AirFiber.” (Kalyan user) Reddit
Some Positive or Mixed Remarks:
- Jio AirFiber works fine in less congested or remote area setups:
“air fiber is generally bad in metros, but can be a saviour in remote areas due to fewer users… I moved to Jio Air fiber as a backup. … it is working fine.” Reddit
- Mixed feedback, with people urging to choose based on your area’s network quality and support:
“Please avoid Jio … if you have any service issue Literally nobody will help.” Reddit
Subscriber Base (Overall Market Share)
- As of mid-2025:
Summary: Side-by-Side
| Category | Jio AirFiber | Airtel Xstream AirFiber |
|---|---|---|
| Cities Covered | 8 cities, including Lucknow | 2 cities (Delhi, Mumbai) |
| Entry Price | ₹599/month (30 Mbps) | ₹799/month (100 Mbps) |
| High-Speed Tier | Up to 1 Gbps available | Up to 100 Mbps |
| Installation | Pro-installed outdoor unit (₹500–₹1,000 fee) | Self-install (plug-and-play) |
| OTT/TV Inclusions | Yes—OTT apps, 4K STB, voice remote | No |
| After-limit Speed | 64 kbps + sachet recharges | 2 Mbps, no sachets |
| Network Reliability | Mixed—varies by location; some noted issues | Fewer reviews yet; may be more stable |
Recommendation for You (in Lucknow / UP‑East)
Given the strong market dominance of Jio AirFiber in UP‑East (~87.7% subscriber share) The Times of India, it’s available and widely used in your region. However, reported issues like performance inconsistencies and customer support complaints suggest that your specific location and support network will be key to a good experience.
If Airtel expands AirFiber to Lucknow, consider it especially if you prefer plug-and-play setup or better reliability. Meanwhile, Jio offers more value in terms of speed, entertainment, and availability—if the service quality in your locality is solid, it could be a strong choice.
Would you like help checking real-time availability or reaching out to local users for feedback in Lucknow?