Bharti Airtel and Google have partnered to establish India’s first mega AI hub and data center in Visakhapatnam. Google will invest approximately $15 billion (USD) over five years (2026-2030). The collaboration aims to boost India’s digital infrastructure, drive innovation, and promote digital inclusion nationwide, leveraging Airtel’s network and Google’s AI capabilities.
Strategic AI Hub Partnership
Bharti Airtel (Airtel) has announced a strategic partnership with Google to launch India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of AI across India, strengthen digital infrastructure and bring Google’s AI services closer to Indian businesses.
Google’s Multi-Billion Dollar Investment
Google will invest approximately $15 billion (USD) over five years (2026-2030) in Visakhapatnam. The investment supports gigawatt-scale data center operations, a robust subsea network, and clean energy solutions. The project will also involve close collaboration with ecosystem partners like Airtel and AdaniConneX.
Joint Development of Data Center and Cable Landing Station
Airtel and Google will jointly establish a purpose-built data center in Visakhapatnam, along with a state-of-the-art Cable Landing Station (CLS) to host Google’s new international subsea cables. Airtel will also develop a robust intra-city and inter-city fiber network as part of the project. This network aims to deliver faster experiences to Google users and customers.
Executive Perspectives
Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel Limited, stated that this partnership marks a defining moment in India’s digital future. He added that it combines world-class AI infrastructure with India’s talent to make India a leader in the AI-driven era.
Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, emphasized the importance of cutting-edge infrastructure and computational power for India’s AI Mission. He also stated that the collaboration with Airtel will deliver next-generation AI services and create the essential digital backbone required for inclusive growth across India.
Source: BSE
