In September 2023, Reliance Jio continued to assert its dominance in the competitive telecom market by adding 34.7 lakh mobile subscribers, solidifying its position. Airtel also experienced growth, with an increase of 13.2 lakh wireless subscribers during the same period, as reported by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). However, Vodafone Idea faced a setback, losing 7.5 lakh mobile subscribers, reducing its wireless user tally to 22.75 crore.
Reliance Jio’s impressive performance in September contributed to a significant expansion of its user base, reaching 44.92 crore subscribers. Meanwhile, Airtel strengthened its position with a mobile subscriber tally of 37.77 crore, following the addition of 13.2 lakh users. Vodafone Idea’s struggles led to a decline in its user base, highlighting the intense competition within the telecom industry.
According to Trai data, the total number of wireless subscribers across all service providers reached 1,150.15 million at the end of September 2023, marking a monthly growth rate of 0.15 percent. Urban areas saw an increase in wireless subscriptions to 630.17 million, while rural areas experienced growth to 519.99 million, with monthly growth rates of 0.12 percent and 0.18 percent, respectively.
The broadband sector also witnessed growth, with the total number of broadband subscribers reaching 885 million by the end of September 2023, reflecting a monthly growth rate of 0.97 percent. The top five service providers dominated the broadband market, holding a 98.35 percent market share. Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd led with 458.96 million subscribers, followed by Bharti Airtel with 257.59 million, Vodafone Idea with 126.51 million, and BSNL with 25.12 million.
Examining wired broadband service providers as of September 30, 2023, the top five included Reliance Jio Infocomm (9.75 million), Bharti Airtel (7.03 million), BSNL (3.71 million), Atria Convergence Technologies (2.20 million), and Hathway Cable & Datacom (1.12 million).
In the realm of wireless broadband service providers as of the same date, the top five were Reliance Jio Infocom Ltd (449.21 million), Bharti Airtel (250.57 million), Vodafone Idea (126.50 million), BSNL (21.41 million), and Intech Online (0.24 million).
These statistics underscore the continued growth and competition in the Indian telecom market. Reliance Jio’s substantial addition of wireless subscribers solidifies its position as a major player, while Airtel’s consistent growth contributes to the overall dynamism of the sector. However, Vodafone Idea’s challenges highlight the need for adaptability in an ever-evolving industry.
As the industry evolves, subscriber numbers and market dynamics will likely continue to shift. The intense competition and strategic positioning of major players emphasize the importance of adaptability, innovation, and service quality in meeting the changing demands of consumers.
