Sri Lanka’s most preferred telco among youth, Airtel Lanka once again won recognition at the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA).

Organized by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), Airtel was presented with the Merit award in the ‘Other Services/Other Sectors’ category. The award was in recognition of the telco’s continuous investments towards enhancing digital connectivity across the nation, while creating innovative and a rewarding customer experiences.

Commenting on the win, Airtel Lanka CEO and Managing Director, Ashish Chandra said, “It is an honour to be recognized among such a distinguished group of enterprises. The past year has been a lesson in the value of delivering excellence in all facets of business. While we are witnessing challenging times, we continue to believe in Sri Lanka’s potential and we look forward to creating value that positively impacts the nation’s economic progress.”

Notably Airtel has also previously been recognized in the same category in 2019.  The NBEA is one of Sri Lanka’s pioneering award competitions initiated by The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka. It has maintained a strong reputation as the premier national platform which recognizes the best of the best businesses in corporate excellence in Sri Lanka.

April 24, 2022: As a company recognised for being one of Asia’s Best Places to Work and boasting of a culture demonstrating great leadership, Airtel Lanka recently saw three of its department heads take home accolades at the recently concluded Great Manager Awards 2021, hosted by the Colombo Leadership Academy (CLA).

Through progressive manager development initiatives such as “Lead Right”, Airtel Lanka aims to advance its managers to become effective and transformational leaders. The company often engages in such initiatives through partnerships with local institutes and the Airtel Global Leadership Academy.

“While we are being proactive in our journey to convey excellence in our offerings, we also strive to nurture leadership and strategic expertise among our key managers and senior staff members. Today’s achievements certainly mark a milestone in our relentless efforts towards developing learned and multi-talented leaders,” commented Airtel Lanka Managing Director and CEO Ashish Chandra.

From Airtel Lanka’s Finance Department, Eranda Siriwardena – Head, Business Planning and Analysis and Fawaz Nizamdeen – Head, Contact Experience were awarded in the “Aligning Organisational Vision” category, while Duminda Akalanka – Senior Manager, Channel Accounting was awarded in the “Driving Results & Execution Excellence” category.

Airtel Lanka’s victory came following the successful recognition under two rounds of selection, where in the first round, a survey was conducted among each participant’s peers and subordinates. In the second round, the selected persons underwent interviews with the Governors of CLA.

These three participants stood out for their leadership styles, team management skills, strategy execution, focus on personal development and more.

Sharing his views on the victory, Eranda Siriwardena said that, “An effective strategy coupled with spot-on delegation of duties is a key winning factor seen at Airtel Lanka, and I am happy to have played a part in it.”

Fawaz Nizamdeen shared a similar remark to his win, “Without the support from management, that centres its operations on excellent customer satisfaction and a fantastic team that shares the same view, any business would fail to deliver a stellar customer experience.”

Furthermore, Duminda Akalanka noted, “I have always believed that relationships, maintained well over time, will bring about fruitful returns to all parties concerned. I am thankful to Airtel Lanka for accepting, supporting and nourishing my leadership which has in return brought us many successful long-term collaborations.”

On an individual level, the Great Manager Awards serves as an opportunity for each company to learn of its own managerial and leadership effectiveness quotient and assess itself when placed against the best in the country, identifying overall strengths and areas of development for the managerial pool within the company. In this there is also an opportunity to evolve higher engagement levels through building stronger managers and strengthen the manager community in the industry. The awards also serve the greater purpose of assessing the eco system of nurturing great managers and best practices amongst a wide spectrum of organizations in the country as a whole.

Photo caption (Left to right): Head – Contact Experience, Fawaz Nizamdeen, Head – Business Planning and Analysis, Eranda Siriwardena and Senior Manager – Channel Accounting, Duminda Akalanka

Bharti Airtel Lanka

Bharti Airtel Lanka commenced commercial operations of services in Sri Lanka in 2009 and was the fastest operator to reach 1 million customers. The Airtel Lanka offering of technology innovation and service excellence has seen rapid adoption rates among the Sri Lanka youth. Registered under the Board of Investment in Sri Lanka, Airtel Lanka provides digital mobile services which include voice, data and enterprise solutions and currently ranked the fastest 3G mobile network provider in Sri Lanka.

Shuts down its 3G data network; 2G (voice and text) services to continue uninterrupted

Airtel Lanka announced that it will be upgrading its network with additional LTE bandwidth and capabilities by shutting down 3G data services. This will allow Airtel Lanka’s 4G/5G services to be enhanced and improved, offering users a faster and consistent network experience. The move is said to result in upto 50% increase in data speeds and will also drastically reduce network traffic congestion.

The shutting down of 3G data services will take effect from 24^th June 2022. The telecom operator reiterated that its 2G network will continue to operate, allowing all its users, including the 2G and 3G handset customers to have uninterrupted access to voice and text message services.

Furthermore, Airtel confirms that a significant number of users have already migrated to 4G and are currently enjoying its benefits. To facilitate the remaining 3G only, data users to upgrade to 4G, Airtel has partnered with leading retailers to offer a range of affordable options for 4G-enabled devices across all price points. Additionally, all users who upgrade from a 3G only device to a 4G device will receive FREE 60GB anytime 4G data.

Airtel’s world-class 4G network around the island is also 5G ready and promises users a superior experience including 99% buffer-free streaming, noticeably quicker loading times and improved indoor coverage with 4G signals that never fail. Airtel offers 4G users a range of Freedom packs, each designed with affordability, reliability and quality in mind.

March 21, 2022: Airtel Lanka’s focused investment on upgrading skills of employees secured a Gold Award in the Territory Manager category, at the recently concluded National Sales Congress 2020 (NASCO).

Securing the award, Nuwan Fernando, Assistant Territory Sales Manager, Airtel Sri Lanka was praised for his successful interview with the SLIM appointed judges for NASCO 2020, as well as for his presentation on demonstrating success stories in potential, performance and strategic input. From a managerial perspective, Nuwan also demonstrated on the measures taken to empower his team and thereby his contribution to sustain the company’s reputation as a sought after employer of choice.

Due to the remarkable performance at the interview and winning Gold, Fernando was also part of the prestigious group “Best of the Best” – comprising of Gold Winners across all industries.

“Inculcating effective on-the-job training along with continuous learning and development initiatives with reputed institutes for our Sales team members, we were able to refresh their competencies and up-skilling in a timely manner. This has undoubtedly supported our candidates, and specifically Nuwan Fernando in this case, to perform well at awards evaluations,” commented Airtel Lanka Managing Director and CEO Ashish Chandra.

Airtel Lanka continuously strives to create a competitive platform to empower its workforce with progressive growth. Through awards programmes conceptualised in-house as well as reputed institutes, Airtel Lanka ensures a motivated and competitive mind set among the entire workforce.

SLIM NASCO, organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, is the only award in Sri Lanka which rewards high performing individuals and provides national level recognition for their efforts and achievements in the sales fraternity.

Being recognised at this premier event for sales excellence, especially during a pandemic, provides the right motivation for sales professionals to achieve even greater heights in the future. All entries at the SLIM NASCO Awards are screened via an eminent panel of judges to select the best performers in the country. The only credible and respected award ceremony for sales professionals, SLIM NASCO has become a badge of honour for sales professionals and corporates.

About Bharti Airtel Lanka

Bharti Airtel Lanka commenced commercial operations of services in Sri Lanka in 2009 and was the fastest operator to reach 1 million customers. The Airtel Lanka offering of technology innovation and service excellence has seen rapid adoption rates among the Sri Lanka youth. Registered under the Board of Investment in Sri Lanka, Airtel Lanka provides digital mobile services which include voice, data and enterprise solutions and currently ranked the fastest 3G mobile network provider in Sri Lanka. To learn more, visit www.airtel.lk.

Driving a 4G network enhancement throughout the island, Airtel Lanka announced the completion of the expansion in the Uva Province, boosting coverage in Badulla and Moneragala districts.

The additional 4G sites will enhance user experience offering Internet speeds that are up to 4X faster with 50% better indoor coverage. Airtel’s 4G infrastructure is also 5G-ready, capable of transitioning to the new network with ease.

The 4G expansion that is currently underway island-wide will give a quantum jump of Airtel’s network experience to all Sri Lankans. Airtel’s 4G network is built on a triple layer network, which gives it a solid combination of coverage and capacity to deliver a superior experience.

From online learning to work-from-home to virtual socialising, every user from children to adults will be able to benefit from not having to face any more call drops, interruptions or coverage issues.

Users can also benefit from Airtel’s novel Freedom Packs, which not only gives access to Airtel’s robust 4G network, but also value with savings up to 80 percent from their mobile spend.

Driving a 4G network enhancement throughout the island, Airtel Lanka announced the completion of the expansion in the North Western Province, boosting coverage in Kurunegala and Puttalam districts.

The additional 4G sites will enhance user experience offering Internet speeds that are up to 4X faster with 50% better indoor coverage. Airtel’s 4G infrastructure is also 5G-ready, capable of transitioning to the new network with ease.

The 4G expansion that is currently underway island-wide will give a quantum jump of Airtel’s network experience to all Sri Lankans. Airtel’s 4G network is built on a triple layer network, which gives it a solid combination of coverage and capacity to deliver a superior experience.

From online learning to work-from-home to virtual socialising, every user from children to adults will be able to benefit from not having to face any more call drops, interruptions or coverage issues.

Users can also benefit from Airtel’s novel Freedom Packs, which not only gives access to Airtel’s robust 4G network, but also value with savings up to 80 percent from their mobile spend.

February 01, 2022: Airtel Lanka demonstrated the 5G readiness of its network as it conducted LIVE 5G trials over a commercial network and recorded speeds of over 1.9Gbps – the highest speed ever recorded in the country.

“Sri Lanka is a market that has been defined by pioneering technology adoption and the investments we are making today into ramping up our 5G capabilities will lay the digital foundations for Sri Lanka’s next chapter of growth. As witnessed today, we were able to record the highest internet speed in the country, and will continue to break records as we move towards the future,” Airtel Lanka Managing Director and CEO, Ashish Chandra stated. 

“Our high-speed network will have huge impact on lives of our customer by empowering them and is in line with our vision to provide to every citizen of our country a world class network at most affordable price.  It is a proud moment for everyone at Airtel,” he added. 

Airtel 5G is fully equipped to deliver up to 10 times more speed, 10 times lower latency and 100 times concurrency compared to existing technologies. Building on the company’s significant investments towards network upgrades, the commencement of 5G trials puts Airtel among the world’s latest in mobile technology and network innovations.

Airtel announced that its world-class 4G infrastructure around the island is 5G ready, thus facilitating a seamless transition to the next generation of networking. Airtel was able to do this through trial frequency allocations in 3500 MHz band with the NSA (Non Stand Alone) network technology.

This demonstration has proved the 5G readiness of Airtel’s network across all domains.

About Bharti Airtel Lanka

Bharti Airtel Lanka commenced commercial operations of services in Sri Lanka in 2009 and was the fastest operator to reach 1 million customers. The Airtel Lanka offering of technology innovation and service excellence has seen rapid adoption rates among the Sri Lanka youth. Registered under the Board of Investment in Sri Lanka, Airtel Lanka provides digital mobile services which include voice, data and enterprise solutions and currently ranked the fastest 3G mobile network provider in Sri Lanka. To learn more, visit www.airtel.lk.

January 02, 2021: Equipped with its new and improved, faster, robust and much more powerful 4G network, Airtel Lanka is heightening the seasonal spirit this year-end with its latest campaign, inviting all inactive Airtel users to have a first-hand experience of its new 4G network without any charges.

“This new year we wanted to let everyone in on what they’re missing, with our justifiably highly anticipated 4G network. What better can anyone wish for this New Year than a network experience that will never fail them! We invite everyone to try out Airtel’s new 4G network, and wish you all compliments of the season!” commented Airtel Lanka CEO/Managing Director Ashish Chandra.

The offer enables eligible users – those who used to have an Airtel connection – with a first-hand experience of Airtel’s value-driven 4G network and Freedom Packs. They can simply put their old Airtel Sim in a handset, dial ‘123’ and avail themselves to attractive discounted offers, including up to seven days of free calls and 4G data.

Airtel Lanka pledges to the guaranteed performance of its refined 4G network and Freedom Packs, enabling up to 4X faster internet speed, 50 percent better indoor coverage and a colossal savings of up to 80% in value, when compared to conventional reloads. Airtel’s 4G network is built on a triple layer network, which gives it a solid combination of coverage and capacity to deliver a superior experience with drastically improved coverage with stronger signal penetration.

Over the last year, Airtel Lanka accelerated its efforts towards refining and strengthening its 4G network covering the entire country, to meet and exceed customer expectations for a greatly consistent and easily accessible mobile internet experience. Now, Airtel’s 4G network and value-centric Freedom Packs have continuously performed well to win the trust and support of users from all walks of life. The company believes that every Sri Lankan deserves affordable access to the best network, and Airtel Lanka commits not to disappoint its ever-growing user base.

About Bharti Airtel Lanka

Bharti Airtel Lanka (Airtel Lanka) commenced commercial operations of services in Sri Lanka on January 12th, 2009, and was the fastest operator to reach 1 million customers in the country. With its network footprint panned out across the nation and capturing strategic ranking positions in various areas in less than three years of operations, Airtel has emerged as Sri Lanka’s fastest expanding network, thus ensuring coverage across the whole island. Registered under the Board of Investment in Sri Lanka, Airtel provides digital mobile services which include voice and data services. To learn more, visit www.airtel.lk.

Driving a 4G network enhancement throughout the island, Airtel Lanka announced the completion of the expansion in the North Western Province, boosting coverage in Kurunegala and Puttalam districts.

The additional 4G sites will enhance user experience offering Internet speeds that are up to 4X faster with 50% better indoor coverage. Airtel’s 4G infrastructure is also 5G-ready, capable of transitioning to the new network with ease.

The 4G expansion that is currently underway island-wide will give a quantum jump of Airtel’s network experience to all Sri Lankans. Airtel’s 4G network is built on a triple layer network, which gives it a solid combination of coverage and capacity to deliver a superior experience.

From online learning to work-from-home to virtual socialising, every user from children to adults will be able to benefit from not having to face any more call drops, interruptions or coverage issues.

Users can also benefit from Airtel’s novel Freedom Packs, which not only gives access to Airtel’s robust 4G network, but also value with savings up to 80 percent from their mobile spend.

Driving a 4G network enhancement throughout the island, Airtel Lanka announced the completion of the expansion in the Central Province, sufficiently covering both Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.

The additional 4G sites will enhance user experience offering Internet speeds that are up to 4X faster with 50% better indoor coverage. Airtel’s 4G infrastructure is also 5G-ready, capable of transitioning to the new network with ease.

The 4G expansion that is currently underway island-wide will give a quantum jump of Airtel’s network experience to all Sri Lankans. Airtel’s 4G network is built on a triple layer network, which gives it a solid combination of coverage and capacity to deliver a superior experience

From online learning to work-from-home to virtual socialising, every user from children to adults will be able to benefit from not having to face any more call drops, interruptions or coverage issues.

In addition, users can also avail themselves to Airtel’s novel Freedom Packs, amplifying not only superior accessibility to Airtel’s robust 4G network, but also value, as users can save up to 80 percent in their expenses to access the internet.