Last month, Bharti Airtel introduced its ‘Priority Postpaid’ service with advanced slicing capabilities, designed to deliver a superior and more dependable 5G network experience for its postpaid customers.
The company became the first telecom operator in India to offer a 5G network with advanced slicing capabilities that intelligently and dynamically segment network capacity in order to deliver a more stable and seamless experience.
Though this Priority Postpaid service recently became a part of the net neutrality principles (framework designed to ensure non-discriminatory internet access for all users, including lower-paying or prepaid consumers) debate in India. As the name suggests, the introduction of preferential network lanes for higher-paying subscribers.
The telecom operator did clarify that the 5G slicing technology does not breach net neutrality norms, and the data demonstrating stable performance across all user segments was shared with the telecom regulator. Amidst this controversy, the ‘Priority Postpaid’ service is now called ‘Fast Lane.’ As per Airtel, the new name captures the essence of what is offered.
When questions were raised about the withdrawal of the service, the company reportedly mentioned, “There is no question of withdrawal of our new post-paid plan. To the contrary, we have had a satisfying response to the launch of our new plan backed by 5G slicing technology. Our launch campaign has ended. And our descriptor to signal what we are doing- ‘Fast Lane’- captures the essence of what we offer.”
The company has made changes on its website, and signals on mobile phones are also displaying the “Fast Lane” name now.
