Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea collectively witnessed a significant decline in their wireless subscriber base in September. Jio lost nearly 7.9 million users, Airtel saw a dip of 1.4 million, and Vodafone Idea shed 1.5 million subscribers. These losses align closely with the recent price hikes of 10–27% implemented by private telecom operators in July 2024.
BSNL Gains Momentum
In a surprising turnaround, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) added 849,000 new subscribers in September, pushing its wireless subscriber count to 91.8 million. BSNL’s decision to maintain steady tariffs and introduce user-centric services, such as spam blockers and automated SIM kiosks, has attracted customers dissatisfied with private operators’ price hikes.
Decline in India’s Wireless Market
Overall, India’s wireless subscriber base shrank by 0.87% in September, falling to 1,153.72 million. Urban areas saw a 0.80% decline, while rural regions experienced a sharper dip at 0.95%. Except for Odisha, all service areas reported a reduction in wireless subscribers.
Broadband Subscribers Also Decline
The total broadband subscriber base in India fell from 949.21 million in August to 944.40 million in September, marking a monthly decline rate of 0.51%. Jio remains the leader in broadband services, boasting 477 million subscribers, followed by Airtel at 285 million, Vodafone Idea at 126 million, and BSNL at 37 million.
Strategic Shift for BSNL
BSNL’s refusal to follow the price hike trend, as confirmed by its Chairman Robert Ravi, has proven to be a winning strategy. The state-owned operator’s focus on affordability and innovation positions it as a strong contender in India’s competitive telecom market.
With its proactive initiatives and stable pricing, BSNL is steadily clawing back market share, challenging the dominance of private telecom giants. The shift underscores the growing demand for affordable and reliable telecom services in the Indian market.
