Thousands of Bharti Airtel users across India were hit by a major outage on Monday afternoon, disrupting calls, SMS, and internet services nationwide.
New Delhi: Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecom providers, suffered a major network outage on Monday (August 18) afternoon. Users reported difficulties with mobile calls, SMS, and internet access from around 3:30 PM IST, with both voice and data services impacted nationwide. Airtel acknowledged the disruption and confirmed that its teams are working to restore connectivity.
Mid-afternoon outage impacts users
Reports on Downdetector began appearing around 3:30 PM, with nearly 2,000–2,500 users affected by 4:00 PM IST. Users from major metro cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai turned to social media platforms like X, Facebook, and WhatsApp to complain about call disruptions and mobile data issues.
What users are experiencing
As an user, I noticed that while my mobile data was functional—allowing WhatsApp calls—some of my contacts reported cross-connection issues. When I attempted to make regular calls, the message, “The number you are trying to reach is unavailable,” repeatedly appeared.
Most complaints centered on disrupted voice calls and unstable mobile internet. Some users experienced a total loss of network signal, while others reported 4G data deductions despite being subscribed to 5G plans.
Airtel responds
Airtel acknowledged the disruption through its official handle, confirming a network outage. The company stated: “We are currently experiencing a network outage. Our team is actively working to resolve the issue and restore services promptly. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.”
As of now, Airtel has not provided a specific timeline for service restoration.
Ways to manage until Airtel services are restored
Use alternative communication apps like WhatsApp or Telegram for messaging and calling.
Try switching to Wi-Fi if your home or workplace supports it.
Keep checking Airtel’s official channels and social media for updates.
Calling and SMS: How to check?
- Try calling 121 (Airtel customer care). If the call goes through, your SIM is active.
- Send a test SMS to any number. If it delivers, the SIM is working.
Mobile data test
- Switch on mobile data and open a website or app.
- If the page loads, your SIM is functioning properly.
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Troubleshooting steps if not working
- Test the SIM in another phone: Insert your SIM into a different handset to determine whether the issue lies with the SIM or your device.
- Clean the SIM slot: Remove the SIM card, wipe it gently with a soft cloth, and place it back securely.
- Reset network settings: Navigate to Settings > Mobile Network > Reset Network Settings to refresh connectivity.
- Inspect for damage: Check if the SIM is scratched, bent, or broken. If so, a replacement may be required.
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