Macquarie sees Jio and Airtel delivering about 12% EBITDA CAGR through FY29

Macquarie expects tariff hikes, data consumption and digital-infrastructure demand to support both telcos. Jio’s completed network build-out could lift annual free cash flow to $5–6 billion by FY29, while Airtel is projected to retain stronger capital efficiency.

— Filed Thu, 23 Jul, 2026, 09:37 IST · Source Financial Express · BrandWagon · Updated

Macquarie expects Jio’s completed network build-out to lift cash generation while Airtel retains stronger returns and capital efficiency. Both are forecast to deliver about 12% EBITDA CAGR through FY29, aided by tariff hikes, data consumption and digital-infrastructure demand.

Why this matters

The outlook follows Jio’s Q1 FY26 profit rise to ₹7,764 crore, driven by subscriber gains and ARPU growth, while debate over Jio Platforms’ IPO valuation has sharpened.

Retail-company signals are accelerating, up 1,025,600% QoQ.