After experiencing three consecutive months of losing mobile subscribers, Bharti Airtel managed to gain 1.9 million new users in October, according to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). This recovery comes after a challenging period for Airtel, signaling a positive shift in its subscriber base.
In contrast, Reliance Jio continued its decline in subscriber numbers for the fourth consecutive month. Jio's market share of mobile subscribers dropped below 40% in October, a concerning trend for the telecom giant. In October, Jio lost 3.8 million subscribers, continuing a months-long decline in its user base.
Vodafone Idea also faced subscriber losses in October, shedding 1.98 million users. The company, which has been struggling with financial issues and competition, experienced a significant reduction in its user base. The combined losses from Jio and Vodafone Idea highlight the challenges faced by major telecom players in India.
On a more positive note, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) continued to add subscribers, marking its fourth consecutive month of growth. BSNL gained 501,994 users in October, although the pace of growth has slowed compared to previous months. In September, BSNL added 849,206 users, and in earlier months, it had gained 2.5 million in August and 2.9 million in July.
BSNL's growth in subscriber numbers can largely be attributed to the porting out of customers from private telecom operators following recent tariff hikes. This suggests that price-sensitive users may be switching to BSNL, although the rate of new additions has decreased in the most recent month.
As of the end of October, Jio’s total mobile user base stood at 460 million, making it the leader in the Indian telecom market, despite its subscriber losses. Airtel followed with 385.4 million users, while Vodafone Idea had 210.5 million users. BSNL had 92.4 million users during the same period.
Overall, the total mobile user base in India fell by 3.3 million to 1.15 billion at the end of October, largely due to SIM card consolidation. This decline in mobile SIM cards reflects a trend towards fewer, more active connections, with users consolidating their subscriptions.
Jio continues to lead the mobile market in India with a market share of 39.9%, followed by Bharti Airtel at 33.5%. Vodafone Idea holds an 18.3% share, while BSNL commands 8.05% of the market. Despite the subscriber loss, Jio remains the dominant player in the market.
In October, TRAI recorded a significant number of mobile number portability (MNP) requests. A total of 13.45 million MNP requests were made, bringing the cumulative MNP requests since the implementation of the service to over 1.05 billion. MNP requests highlight the growing trend of users switching telecom operators, often seeking better plans and services.
While the overall mobile subscriber base decreased in October, the active user base saw a slight increase. The active user base across all telecom operators rose to 1.06 billion, up from 1.059 billion in September. Active users now account for approximately 92.7% of the total mobile subscriber base in India.
Jio’s active user base grew by 3.8 million, bringing its total active subscribers to 448.3 million. Airtel also added 2.7 million active users, increasing its active subscriber base to 383.4 million. BSNL experienced a similar increase, with 944,852 active users, bringing its total active user base to 55.6 million. However, Vodafone Idea lost 723,554 active subscribers, reducing its active user base to 178.8 million.
The 4G and 5G subscriber base across all telecom operators in India also saw a decline in October, with the overall base dropping by 3.7 million to 896 million. This decrease in high-speed data users could be attributed to slower adoption of 5G and a reduction in the number of 4G users.
Conclusion
The data from TRAI paints a picture of a competitive and dynamic telecom landscape in India, with Bharti Airtel managing to recover after a decline in subscribers, while Jio and Vodafone Idea continue to face challenges. BSNL’s growth indicates the potential benefits of a state-owned telecom operator amidst tariff hikes by private companies. Despite losses in subscriber numbers, the active user base across operators is growing, reflecting a shift toward more engaged and loyal customers.