The Indian telecom industry witnessed significant shifts in September 2024 as private operators Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) reported notable subscriber losses, while state-owned BSNL continued its upward trajectory, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Jio Suffers Sharp Decline
Reliance Jio, the market leader and a dominant force in India’s telecom sector, faced a substantial blow with 7.96 million wireless subscribers leaving its network in September. This marks the third consecutive month of significant losses for Jio, following declines of 0.75 million in July and 4.01 million in August. Despite maintaining its position at the top, the trend highlights growing challenges for the telecom giant, which still holds a 40.20% market share with a subscriber base of 463.78 million.
Airtel and Vi Struggle to Retain Users
Airtel, the second-largest operator, recorded a loss of 1.43 million subscribers, continuing its own streak of declining numbers. Vodafone Idea (Vi), grappling with ongoing financial challenges, saw 1.55 million users exiting its network. Both operators have struggled to stem subscriber attrition, with Vi now holding an 18.41% market share and Airtel maintaining 33.24% of the market.
BSNL’s Remarkable Growth
In stark contrast, BSNL emerged as the industry’s bright spot, adding 0.84 million wireless subscribers in September. This follows its impressive gains of 2.92 million in July and 2.53 million in August, reinforcing its steady growth momentum. With a combined subscriber base of 93.8 million, BSNL and MTNL have pushed their market share to 8.15%, reflecting increased trust among users in the state-run operator.
Regional Shifts and Market Dynamics
- Jio: Subscriber losses were observed across all telecom circles, indicating a widespread challenge in retaining users.
- Airtel: While overall numbers declined, Airtel managed gains in key regions such as Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, and Odisha, reflecting localized successes.
- Vi: Despite nationwide losses, Vi registered slight growth in Karnataka, Mumbai, and Odisha.
- BSNL: The state-owned operator recorded growth in most regions, although some circles reported minor setbacks.
The total wireless subscriber base in India fell to 1,153.72 million, a monthly decline of 0.87%, signaling an overall contraction in the market. Private operators still dominate with 91.85% market share, while BSNL/MTNL’s share has steadily climbed to 8.15%.
Leadership in Broadband
In the wireless broadband segment, Reliance Jio retained its leadership with 463.78 million subscribers, followed by Airtel at 276.68 million, Vi at 126.35 million, and BSNL at 33.50 million.
