Bharti Airtel has set the 5G bandwagon rolling by launching the service in eight cities, including Siliguri in Bengal. But some of the flagship handsets while being 5G capable on the hardware side would need a software update for the users to latch on to the 5G network.

Airtel has given a detailed FAQ (frequently asked questions) on its website along with the list of handsets that are currently capable of connecting to 5G services.

The list expectedly includes Apple’s iPhone 12 and its variants, iPhone 13 and its variants, iPhone SE 2022 and the new iPhone 14 and its variants. However, what is unexpected is that these handsets would require software updates to be able to connect to the 5G network.

A total of 27 handsets of Samsung are listed as 5G ready, including flagships Galaxy S22, Fold4 and Flip4, but 18 in the list would require a software update. Similarly, six of 16 One Plus handsets would require a software update.

Most of the listed handsets of Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo and Vivo are 5G-ready.

While there is no official word from the manufacturers yet on when the updates will be available, network carriers and mobile handset retailers told The Telegraph that the over-the-air software updates are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks.

Enquiries up

Retailers have seen a rise in customer enquiries after both Aircel and Jio announced their plans to roll out 5G.

“Following the announcement of 5G by Airtel, Reliance and the government, the enquiries have definitely gone up. People are asking should I upgrade my phone or not, whether the services have started and what would be the tariffs,” said Mohan Bajoria, president of the Bengal chapter of the All India Mobile Retailers Association.

Vodafone is yet to give a date for 5G rollout.

Sim card

Airtel has said in its FAQ that its existing 4G Sim cards are already 5G capable. The services will be available on the existing data plans until the rollout is more widespread. At present, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur and Varanasi are covered under Airtel 5G Plus.