Bharti Airtel and its subsidiary, Bharti Hexacom, delivered a strong fiscal performance for FY2026. Consolidated revenues for Airtel reached a lifetime high of Rs. 2,11,000 Crores, with an EBITDAaL margin of 51.2%. The management emphasized a strategic focus on digital growth, 5G densification, and data center expansion. Additionally, the company announced an increase in dividend to Rs. 24 per share for Airtel, reflecting a commitment to progressive shareholder payouts and disciplined capital allocation.
Record Financial Performance
Bharti Airtel concluded FY2026 with robust financial results, reporting a consolidated revenue of Rs. 2,11,000 Crores. The India business contributed significantly, with EBITDAaL (excluding passive) reaching Rs. 72,500 Crores, marking an 18% growth and a margin improvement to 51.7%. Bharti Hexacom also showed strong momentum, with a 9.4% revenue growth and 17.9% EBITDAaL growth, achieving an EBITDAaL margin of 47.6%.
Strategic Growth and Digital Bets
Management identified three core digital growth engines: data centers, financial services, and Airtel Cloud. The company has set an ambitious target of building 1 gigawatt of data center capacity in the coming years. In the financial services sector, Airtel Payments Bank reported a strong performance with monthly transacting users reaching 120 million, and an annualized revenue run rate of Rs. 3,400 Crores, representing a 23% year-on-year growth.
Infrastructure and Network Expansion
Infrastructure development remained a key priority throughout FY2026. The company deployed nearly 7,800 network sites and 43,000 km of fiber in India. A pivot towards a “fiber-first” strategy was highlighted, driven by the need for superior connectivity and the increasing costs associated with fixed wireless access (FWA) chipsets. Furthermore, the company reported that 42,000 network sites now have solar access, underscoring its commitment to ESG goals.
Future Outlook and Capital Allocation
The company maintains a disciplined approach to capital allocation, prioritizing core business investments and deleveraging. A material share swap transaction was announced to acquire an additional 16.3% stake in Airtel Africa, reflecting confidence in the long-term growth potential of the African market. Shareholders will benefit from a progressive dividend policy, with Bharti Airtel recommending a dividend of Rs. 24 per share, and Bharti Hexacom recommending Rs. 18 per share.
Source: BSE
