The Indian telecom sector saw mixed fortunes in November 2024, as subscriber data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) revealed contrasting trends among major players. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) witnessed significant losses in their user base, while Reliance Jio emerged as the sole gainer during the period.
Subscriber Performance
Airtel’s wireless subscriber base contracted by 11.4 lakh, bringing its total count to 38.4 crore. Similarly, Vodafone Idea reported a steeper decline, losing 15 lakh users, leaving the telco with 20.8 crore subscribers.
BSNL, which had previously benefited from private telco tariff hikes and SIM consolidation, also lost 3.4 lakh wireless customers, ending November with a user base of 9.2 crore.
On the other hand, Reliance Jio continued its growth streak, adding 12.1 lakh wireless users and solidifying its position with a subscriber base of 46.12 crore.
Industry Overview
India's total telecom subscriber base reached 1,187.15 million in November, comprising 1,148.65 million wireless users and 38.50 million wireline subscribers. The country's overall teledensity stood at 84.32 per cent, with urban areas accounting for 81.59 per cent and rural regions contributing just 2.73 per cent.
The broadband sector also saw modest growth, with the subscriber base increasing from 941.47 million in October to 944.76 million in November, marking a monthly growth rate of 0.35 per cent.
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Wireline Growth
Wireline services saw an upswing, with subscribers rising from 37.79 million in October to 38.50 million in November. This 0.72 million increase translated to a growth rate of 1.89 per cent.
Reliance Jio led the wireline market with a 42.33 per cent share, followed by Bharti Airtel at 25.15 per cent and Vodafone Idea at 2.21 per cent. State-run entities BSNL, MTNL, and APSFL together held a 22.80 per cent share.
Wireless Market Decline
Wireless subscriptions dipped marginally, from 1,150.42 million in October to 1,148.65 million in November, reflecting a decline rate of 0.15 per cent. Jio remained the market leader in wireless services with a 40.15 per cent share, trailed by Airtel (33.45 per cent) and Vi (18.19 per cent). Public sector operators BSNL, MTNL, and APSFL collectively held an 8.20 per cent share.
The data highlights Jio's consistent expansion in both wireless and wireline markets, while rivals face challenges in maintaining their subscriber bases amidst market shifts.