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The October 2024 TRAI report reveals a dynamic shift in India's telecom landscape, with Bharti Airtel emerging as the key gainer in the fiercely competitive market. While Reliance Jio boasted a higher number of active users, Airtel secured the highest net addition of wireless subscribers, adding a substantial 1.93 million new customers. This growth stands in stark contrast to the significant losses experienced by both Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi). Jio, despite its active user advantage, witnessed a dramatic loss of 3.76 million subscribers, a consequence attributed by analysts to the removal of inactive, low-revenue 4G customers following the July rate hikes. Jio's strategy of focusing exclusively on 4G and 5G users resulted in this considerable drop in gross subscriber numbers, highlighting the trade-off between profitability and sheer subscriber count. Vi also experienced a downturn, with a reduction in its user base. This fluctuation significantly altered market share dynamics. Airtel's market share saw an increase, reaching 33.5%, while Jio's share dipped to 39.99%, and Vi's continued its decline.
The impact of these changes extends beyond the individual companies. The overall wireless tele-density in India experienced a decrease, falling to 81.77% in October. The total mobile user base registered a decline of 3.31%, reaching 1.15 billion. This overall reduction is a direct consequence of the substantial losses reported by both Jio and Vi, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the market and the ripple effects of individual company strategies. This underscores the intense competition within the Indian telecom sector and the challenges faced by operators in balancing profitability with subscriber growth. The need to adapt to evolving market conditions and customer behaviors remains a crucial factor for success in this sector.
Beyond the mobile segment, the landline market also exhibited interesting trends. Jio continued its dominance in the landline sector, adding 0.68 million users to reach a total of 15.68 million. Airtel also experienced growth, albeit on a smaller scale, adding 0.22 million users. In contrast, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) continued to face challenges, losing 35,954 users, further highlighting the competitive pressures in the Indian telecom market. The data on mobile number portability (MNP) also provides valuable insights into subscriber behavior and the level of churn in the market. The staggering 13.45 million MNP requests in October alone, accumulating to a total of 1052.56 million, showcases the fluidity of the market and the willingness of consumers to switch providers based on various factors, including pricing, network coverage, and service quality. This constant flux reinforces the importance of continuous innovation and competitive offerings in attracting and retaining customers in this dynamic environment.
The October 2024 TRAI report provides a comprehensive picture of the Indian telecom sector's performance. The contrasting fortunes of Airtel and Jio highlight the strategic complexities of operating in a highly competitive market. The significant drop in the overall mobile user base emphasizes the evolving nature of the telecom landscape and the need for operators to adapt to changing customer needs and market dynamics. The report's findings serve as a valuable data point for both industry players and policymakers seeking to understand the trends shaping the future of telecommunications in India. Further analysis is needed to fully understand the long-term implications of these changes, including the potential impact on consumer prices, network investments, and the overall digital economy. The data also raises questions about the sustainability of current business models and the need for innovation to drive future growth within the industry.
Source: Bharti Airtel added highest number of subscribers in October 2024: TRAI