Airtel Escalates Dispute, Reiterates Tejas Equipment Is ‘Sub-Standard’

The ongoing dispute between Bharti Airtel and Bengaluru-based telecom gear maker Tejas Networks has intensified, with Airtel once again asserting that Tejas’ equipment supplied for its network rollout is “sub-standard” and unfit for deployment. The company has reportedly escalated the issue to higher industry and regulatory forums, citing serious performance deficiencies.

According to Airtel, multiple batches of Tejas’ optical and broadband equipment allegedly failed to meet quality benchmarks during field testing, causing service disruptions and deployment delays. Airtel claims the equipment did not align with its operational reliability standards, prompting the operator to halt further installations.

Tejas Networks, however, has strongly refuted the allegations, stating that its products meet global certification norms and have been deployed successfully across multiple telecom networks in India and abroad. The company maintains that Airtel’s claims are “misleading” and stem from procedural issues rather than product defects.

Industry analysts say the disagreement comes at a crucial time, with telecom operators racing to expand fiber and broadband infrastructure. The rift could impact domestic telecom manufacturing ambitions under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, where Tejas is seen as a key indigenous player.

Regulators may step in if the dispute affects network rollout timelines or vendor credibility. For now, the clash highlights the growing pressures on both operators and manufacturers as India’s telecom sector navigates rapid digital expansion and rising quality expectations.