Tag: Airtel

Over 53pc NLD calls failing due to inadequate PoIs from Airtel, says Jio

MUMBAI: Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) has noted the release of a misleading media statement by Airtel regarding provisioning of adequate POI capacity to RJIL.

The fact is that over 2.6 crore NLD calls are still failing daily amounting to 53.4% call failure (as on 31-Jan-2017) as against TRAI norm of 0.5%. The following table provides a snapshot of POIs required at different points of time and the POIs provided by Airtel:

It is evident from the above that:

i)      Inspite of intervention by Authorities and censure proceedings against Airtel, NLD call failure rate was at 53.4% as against TRAI norm of 0.5%;

ii)     There has always been a lag in POIs required and POIs provided by Airtel resulting in severe service issues for Indian customers;

iii)    There are no technical issues in the RJIL network as evident from the fact that call failures on access network have reduced from 59.1% to 0.6% (as on 31-Jan-2017) after Airtel was compelled to provide POIs post intervention by the Authorities. Further, there are no call failures in Jio-to-Jio calls.

Airtel’s claim of having provided 35,000 POIs to Jio is misleading given that in reality, it has not even done port allocation (first step of implementation) for over 1,100 of these POIs. Airtel continues to issue demand notes for these POIs to slow down the process, whereas no payment is due under the Interconnection Agreement. As has been repeatedly pointed out to Airtel, there has been no delay whatsoever in activating POIs by RJIL. The reasons range from long delay in allocation of POIs by Airtel, lack of media readiness of Airtel, use of electrical interfaces etc. There has been no delay from RJIL in activating the POIs.

Comparison with other operators: Airtel has indulged in a completely arbitrary comparison of POIs allocated to other operators as against those allocated to RJIL. Traffic from no two operators will be alike and operators must not try to

February 8, 2017
Airtel petitions CCI as TRAI allows free Jio

MUMBAI: Telecom regulator TRAI has made up its mind to permit the new entrant Reliance Jio to go on with its free data offer, objections from rivals notwithstanding. Failing to get a favourable TRAI decision, Airtel has petitioned the Competition Commission of India (CCI) seeking respite from Jio’s complimentary services. Airtel complained said that Jio’s tariffs are affecting competition.

TRAI has now permitted Jio to continue with its “Happy New Year” offer thus allowing its subscribers to use up to 1GB free data every day. But, TRAI ruled that Jio schemes were valid.

Airtel had, on 24 December, filed a petition with the telecom tribunal, TDSAT, calling TRAI a “mute spectator” as it allowed Jio to go on with its complimentary offer beyond the stipulated 90-day period. On 18 January, Idea Cellular too moved TDSAT to stop Jio from giving free data.

Rules prevent operators from having a complimentary campaign for over months, and Jio has now been offering free services for over 90 days, and now deciding to extend the offer to 31 March.

Telcos meanwhile are planning to consolidate in order to survive in the competitive market.

Also Read:

Jio becomes top ISP, Wireline growth retards overall broadband internet subs fall in Nov-16

BSNL violating TRAI’s IUC norms, complains COAI

TRAI: HC asks Idea, DoT to file affidavit on plea

Idea petitions TDSAT against TRAI; price war set to escalate

February 6, 2017
Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

NEW DELHI: Vodafone Group Plc today confirmed that it was in discussions with the Aditya Birla Group about an all share merger of Vodafone India (excluding Vodafone’s 42% stake in Indus Towers) and Idea.

Vodafone group general counsel and company secretary Rosemary Martin said, “Any merger would be effected through the issue of new shares in Idea to Vodafone and would result in Vodafone deconsolidating Vodafone India.”

“There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor as to the terms or timing of any transaction.”

Reacting to recent media speculation regarding a potential combination of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular (“Idea”), she said: “This announcement contains inside information.”

Although, earlier, there were reports that Vodafone may be seeking merger with Idea or Jio, experts believed a merger with the former was a possibility. Vodafone had launched several tariffs to browbeat competition from Airtel and Jio. The Indian unit is reportedly seeking a merger with one of the top telecom companies following intensified competition. Vodafone may be keen for a possible tie-up with Idea, Jio or another of the top three providers. Jio’s aggressive tariffs and heavy investments started impacting competitor a few weeks after it entered.

Also read: Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

January 30, 2017
Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

NEW DELHI: Vodafone Group Plc today confirmed that it was in discussions with the Aditya Birla Group about an all share merger of Vodafone India (excluding Vodafone’s 42% stake in Indus Towers) and Idea.

Vodafone group general counsel and company secretary Rosemary Martin said, “Any merger would be effected through the issue of new shares in Idea to Vodafone and would result in Vodafone deconsolidating Vodafone India.”

“There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor as to the terms or timing of any transaction.”

Reacting to recent media speculation regarding a potential combination of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular (“Idea”), she said: “This announcement contains inside information.”

Although, earlier, there were reports that Vodafone may be seeking merger with Idea or Jio, experts believed a merger with the former was a possibility. Vodafone had launched several tariffs to browbeat competition from Airtel and Jio. The Indian unit is reportedly seeking a merger with one of the top telecom companies following intensified competition. Vodafone may be keen for a possible tie-up with Idea, Jio or another of the top three providers. Jio’s aggressive tariffs and heavy investments started impacting competitor a few weeks after it entered.

Also read: Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

January 30, 2017
BSNL leader in wireline b’band subs addition in Oct-16; Jio joins top five wireless list

BENGALURU: In a change from the norm, the public sector telecom giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) added 40,000 wireline broadband internet subscribers in the month of September 2016 (Sep-16). Continuing the new trend, the pub sector player added another 60,000 subscribers in the month of October 2016 (Oct-16).

Earlier, BSNL had been consistently losing subscribers in the calendar year 2016 (CY-16) until 31 August 2016 (Aug-16). Its gain in Sep-16 was just half the 80,000 subscribers it has lost in CY-16 until Sep-16.With the Oct-16 growth in subscribers, BSNL has shown growth by 20,000 in subscribers for calendar year CY-16 until 31 October 2016.

Reliance JioInfocom Limited with 35.94 million (3.594 crore) joined the top 5 broadband services subscribers list in Oct-16.

At the same time, the other public sector telecom operator – Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Limited (MTNL) has also been bleeding wireline broadband internet subscribers in CY-16 until Oct-16. MTNL has seen a reduction of 60,000 subscribers in CY-16.Overall, the two public sector players have lost subscribers during CY-16 until Oct-16 and hence dampened the subscriber growth rate among the top five wired broadband internet players.

The wireline broadband internet (broadband) subscriber base in the country grew by 9.09 percent (by 15 lakh or 1.5 million) in the period between 31 December 2015 (Dec-15) or1 January 2016 until 31 October 2016 (Oct-16), from 165.1 lakh to 180.1 lakh. Telecom subscription data released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for Oct-16 reveals that the contribution by the top five players’ was just 5.8 lakh new subscribers or 16.77 percent growth in the current calendar year until Oct-16 (CY-16).

Overall, wired broadband subscribers grew 0.95 percent month-on-month (MoM) in Oct-16. The All India wired broadband base grew from 178.4 lakh to 180.1 lakh, while the five top players grew by 0.55 percent in Oct-16 as compared to 0.69 percent in Sep-16.

Leading the growth in subscriber additions in CY-16 until Oct-16 are private wired broadband players Bharti Airtel (Airtel, 10,000 additions in Oct-16) and regional player Atria Convergence Technologies Pvt Ltd (ACT, 10,000 additions in Oct-16) with additions of 2.8 lakh and 2.6 lakh subscriber additions respectively in CY-16 until Oct-16. Airtel’s wired broadband subscriber base grew 16.77 percent, while ACT’s base grew by 30.23 percent during the same period (CY-16 until Oct-16). In CY-15 (1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015), Airtel had added 2.6 lakh wired broadband subscribers and grown by 18.44 percent, while ACT added 2.5 lakh subscribers and had grown at a blazing 40.98 percent. By Sep-16, Airtel had already exceeded the number of subscribers it had added in CY-15, while ACT has equalled its CY-15 performance.Hence, by the end of 2016, with reports for two more months to be published as yet, the two players should add a lot more subscribers than they did in CY-15.

While Airtel is a national level player, ACT is a regional player with operations in South India, hence probably making ACT the largest private wireline broadband player in South India. ACT has replaced the public sector MTNL at third place, pushing the latter to fourth spot in Aug-16 in terms of number of subscribers.Another private player among the top five – You Broadband (You BB) has added 80,000 subscribers (15.69 percent growth) in the current year until Oct-16.

Among the 5 top wireline broadband internet players in India, the public sector telecom player Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) leads by far with 99.4 lakh total number of wireline broadband subscribers as on Oct-16. However, as mentioned above, BSNL had seen its broadband subscriber base shrink by 80,000 in CY-16 until Aug-16. The largest private sector wireline broadband internet services player Airtel had 19.5 lakh subscribers as on 31 October 2016, ACT with 11.2 lakh subscribers was next and was followed by the other public sector player –MTNL with 10.6 lakh subscribers. You Broadband (You BB) with 5.9 lakh subscribers was the fifth.

Please refer to Fig 1 below for wireline subscriber data in CY-16 until Oct-16.

The top five players have had a slower rate of growth as compared to the all India growth in CY-16 until Oct-16. The share of the top five players among all India wired broadband subscriber addition has fallen in CY-16 until Oct-16 from 85.28 percent as on 1 January 2016 to 81.40 percent as on 31 October 2016. The share of these players was 88.45 percent as on 1 January 2015.

Month-on-month (m-o-m), the all India wired broadband subscriber base witnessed the second highest growth in CY-16 until Sep-16 in Aug-16 at 1.03 percent, while the top 5 players had a growth of 0.28 percent in that month. Please refer to figure 2 below:

Other wireline broadband players in India

MSOs’ in India have started providing internet services on the back of their television cable networks using DOCSIS technology. In general, they have started reporting double and triple digit year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in internet subscribers and revenue. The television cable players see broadband services improving their Average Revenue per User (ARPU) numbers. Three of the major MSOs and a regional MSO – Hathway, Siti Networks Limited, Den Networks Limited , Ortel Communications Limited respectively whose results are available in the public domain have been showing steady growth in their broadband segment over the past few quarters.

Overall broadband subscriber numbers for October 2016 including wireless and mobile

Overall, as per the reports received by TRAI from the service providers, the number ofbroadband subscribers (including wireless, mobile, dongles) grew by a massive 13.59 percent or 26.12 million (2.612 crore) to 218.42 crore (21.842 crore) from 192.30 million (19.23 crore).

The growth was led by wireless broadband subscriber numbers that use mobiles and dongles for internet access have increased m-o-m by14.97 percent by 26.03million or 260.3 lakh to 199.90 million (19.99 crore) in Oct-16 from 178.4 million (17.84 crore) in Sep-16.Fixed wireless subscribers that access the internet through Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to-point radio and VSAT remained steady in Sep-16 and Oct-16 at 0.60 million (6 lakh).

The top five service providers constituted 80.36 percent market share of the totalbroadband subscribers at the end of Oct-16. These service providerswere Bharti Airtel (48.17 million or 4.817 crore), Vodafone (40.19 million or 4.019 crore), Reliance JioInfocom Limited with 35.94 million (3.594 crore),Idea Cellular which saw a decline in subscribers from30.72 million(3.072 crore) in Sep-16 to 29.76 million (2.976 crore) and, BSNL which also saw in a slight subscriber base decline from (21.60 million 2.16 crore) to 21.46 million or 2.146 crore. Reliance Communications Group which had (16.74 million 1.674 crore) in Sep-16 exited the top five list.

TRAI’s definition of broadband is internet download speeds greater than or equal to 512 Kpbs.

Notes:(1) The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

(a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

(b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

(2) TRAI reports indicate data in millions of numbers up to 2 decimal places. Hence it is assumed in this report that a figure of 0.51 million (5.1 lakh) subscribers for You BB for Dec-2015 would be granular to the nearest 10,000. While percentages have been mentioned up to two decimal places, the accuracy may vary, depending upon the exact number.

(3) MSOs’ have a number of subsidiaries and alliances, hence broadband numbers are split as applicable. The consolidated subscription numbers of these entities could be larger. Hathway is a case in point.

January 10, 2017
BSNL leader in wireline b’band subs addition in Oct-16; Jio joins top five wireless list

BENGALURU: In a change from the norm, the public sector telecom giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) added 40,000 wireline broadband internet subscribers in the month of September 2016 (Sep-16). Continuing the new trend, the pub sector player added another 60,000 subscribers in the month of October 2016 (Oct-16).

Earlier, BSNL had been consistently losing subscribers in the calendar year 2016 (CY-16) until 31 August 2016 (Aug-16). Its gain in Sep-16 was just half the 80,000 subscribers it has lost in CY-16 until Sep-16.With the Oct-16 growth in subscribers, BSNL has shown growth by 20,000 in subscribers for calendar year CY-16 until 31 October 2016.

Reliance JioInfocom Limited with 35.94 million (3.594 crore) joined the top 5 broadband services subscribers list in Oct-16.

At the same time, the other public sector telecom operator – Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Limited (MTNL) has also been bleeding wireline broadband internet subscribers in CY-16 until Oct-16. MTNL has seen a reduction of 60,000 subscribers in CY-16.Overall, the two public sector players have lost subscribers during CY-16 until Oct-16 and hence dampened the subscriber growth rate among the top five wired broadband internet players.

The wireline broadband internet (broadband) subscriber base in the country grew by 9.09 percent (by 15 lakh or 1.5 million) in the period between 31 December 2015 (Dec-15) or1 January 2016 until 31 October 2016 (Oct-16), from 165.1 lakh to 180.1 lakh. Telecom subscription data released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for Oct-16 reveals that the contribution by the top five players’ was just 5.8 lakh new subscribers or 16.77 percent growth in the current calendar year until Oct-16 (CY-16).

Overall, wired broadband subscribers grew 0.95 percent month-on-month (MoM) in Oct-16. The All India wired broadband base grew from 178.4 lakh to 180.1 lakh, while the five top players grew by 0.55 percent in Oct-16 as compared to 0.69 percent in Sep-16.

Leading the growth in subscriber additions in CY-16 until Oct-16 are private wired broadband players Bharti Airtel (Airtel, 10,000 additions in Oct-16) and regional player Atria Convergence Technologies Pvt Ltd (ACT, 10,000 additions in Oct-16) with additions of 2.8 lakh and 2.6 lakh subscriber additions respectively in CY-16 until Oct-16. Airtel’s wired broadband subscriber base grew 16.77 percent, while ACT’s base grew by 30.23 percent during the same period (CY-16 until Oct-16). In CY-15 (1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015), Airtel had added 2.6 lakh wired broadband subscribers and grown by 18.44 percent, while ACT added 2.5 lakh subscribers and had grown at a blazing 40.98 percent. By Sep-16, Airtel had already exceeded the number of subscribers it had added in CY-15, while ACT has equalled its CY-15 performance.Hence, by the end of 2016, with reports for two more months to be published as yet, the two players should add a lot more subscribers than they did in CY-15.

While Airtel is a national level player, ACT is a regional player with operations in South India, hence probably making ACT the largest private wireline broadband player in South India. ACT has replaced the public sector MTNL at third place, pushing the latter to fourth spot in Aug-16 in terms of number of subscribers.Another private player among the top five – You Broadband (You BB) has added 80,000 subscribers (15.69 percent growth) in the current year until Oct-16.

Among the 5 top wireline broadband internet players in India, the public sector telecom player Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) leads by far with 99.4 lakh total number of wireline broadband subscribers as on Oct-16. However, as mentioned above, BSNL had seen its broadband subscriber base shrink by 80,000 in CY-16 until Aug-16. The largest private sector wireline broadband internet services player Airtel had 19.5 lakh subscribers as on 31 October 2016, ACT with 11.2 lakh subscribers was next and was followed by the other public sector player –MTNL with 10.6 lakh subscribers. You Broadband (You BB) with 5.9 lakh subscribers was the fifth.

Please refer to Fig 1 below for wireline subscriber data in CY-16 until Oct-16.

The top five players have had a slower rate of growth as compared to the all India growth in CY-16 until Oct-16. The share of the top five players among all India wired broadband subscriber addition has fallen in CY-16 until Oct-16 from 85.28 percent as on 1 January 2016 to 81.40 percent as on 31 October 2016. The share of these players was 88.45 percent as on 1 January 2015.

Month-on-month (m-o-m), the all India wired broadband subscriber base witnessed the second highest growth in CY-16 until Sep-16 in Aug-16 at 1.03 percent, while the top 5 players had a growth of 0.28 percent in that month. Please refer to figure 2 below:

Other wireline broadband players in India

MSOs’ in India have started providing internet services on the back of their television cable networks using DOCSIS technology. In general, they have started reporting double and triple digit year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in internet subscribers and revenue. The television cable players see broadband services improving their Average Revenue per User (ARPU) numbers. Three of the major MSOs and a regional MSO – Hathway, Siti Networks Limited, Den Networks Limited , Ortel Communications Limited respectively whose results are available in the public domain have been showing steady growth in their broadband segment over the past few quarters.

Overall broadband subscriber numbers for October 2016 including wireless and mobile

Overall, as per the reports received by TRAI from the service providers, the number ofbroadband subscribers (including wireless, mobile, dongles) grew by a massive 13.59 percent or 26.12 million (2.612 crore) to 218.42 crore (21.842 crore) from 192.30 million (19.23 crore).

The growth was led by wireless broadband subscriber numbers that use mobiles and dongles for internet access have increased m-o-m by14.97 percent by 26.03million or 260.3 lakh to 199.90 million (19.99 crore) in Oct-16 from 178.4 million (17.84 crore) in Sep-16.Fixed wireless subscribers that access the internet through Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to-point radio and VSAT remained steady in Sep-16 and Oct-16 at 0.60 million (6 lakh).

The top five service providers constituted 80.36 percent market share of the totalbroadband subscribers at the end of Oct-16. These service providerswere Bharti Airtel (48.17 million or 4.817 crore), Vodafone (40.19 million or 4.019 crore), Reliance JioInfocom Limited with 35.94 million (3.594 crore),Idea Cellular which saw a decline in subscribers from30.72 million(3.072 crore) in Sep-16 to 29.76 million (2.976 crore) and, BSNL which also saw in a slight subscriber base decline from (21.60 million 2.16 crore) to 21.46 million or 2.146 crore. Reliance Communications Group which had (16.74 million 1.674 crore) in Sep-16 exited the top five list.

TRAI’s definition of broadband is internet download speeds greater than or equal to 512 Kpbs.

Notes:(1) The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

(a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

(b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

(2) TRAI reports indicate data in millions of numbers up to 2 decimal places. Hence it is assumed in this report that a figure of 0.51 million (5.1 lakh) subscribers for You BB for Dec-2015 would be granular to the nearest 10,000. While percentages have been mentioned up to two decimal places, the accuracy may vary, depending upon the exact number.

(3) MSOs’ have a number of subsidiaries and alliances, hence broadband numbers are split as applicable. The consolidated subscription numbers of these entities could be larger. Hathway is a case in point.

January 10, 2017
Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

MUMBAI: When you can’t fight them, join them. Discretion is the best part of valor — are some of the quotable quotes that one has heard. They seem to be proving right in the context of the neck-and-neck race among the existing rivals and a new entrant in the Indian telecom space.

The new entrant Reliance Jio has caused a considerable disruption in the space. No matter it is working out to the benefit of the consumer and helping the industry expand albeit at a much lower cost to the end-user, well-entrenched rivals now are on a slippery wicket.

Vodafone India for example is considering its options of a possible merger with one of the existing rivals. Or, the things could take such a turn that it may be inclined to join the tough new entrant — Jio.

On the other hand, the leading telco Bharti Airtel too launched a number of schemes to face competition. Meanwhile, Airtel is reportedly in discussion to buy Telenor’s India business in a deal that will involve taking on debt of Rs 1,500 crore to take on Reliance Jio. Telenor operates in six of the 22 telecom circles in India and offers 2G services to its 45 million users.

Although, there were reports that Vodafone may be seeking merger with Idea or Jio, experts believe a merger with the former was a possibility. Vodafone had launched several tariffs to browbeat competition from Airtel and Jio. The Indian unit is reportedly seeking a merger with one of the top telecom companies following intensified competition. Vodafone may be keen for a possible tie-up with Idea, Jio or another of the top three providers. Jio’s aggressive tariffs and heavy investments started impacting competitor a few weeks after it entered.

Experts opine that the industry is prepared for a major consolidation with smaller companies such as Telenor likely to be bought over and middle-level companies such as Reliance Communication and Aircel seeking mergers. The exercise will eventually leave space for some 3-4 players.

But, there is some apprehension. With two decades of existence, it may be a bit early to expect merger for Idea or Vodafone. Vodafone may rather go for a buyout.

In September 2016, Vodafone invested Rs 47,700 crore in the Indian unit, most of which was used to reduce debt to Rs 35,430 crore by the end of second quarter of 2016-17. By September, the Indian company had 200 million mobile customers. In November, Vodafone cut the valuation of its Indian unit by GBP 5 billion owing to stiff competition.

January 9, 2017
Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

MUMBAI: When you can’t fight them, join them. Discretion is the best part of valor — are some of the quotable quotes that one has heard. They seem to be proving right in the context of the neck-and-neck race among the existing rivals and a new entrant in the Indian telecom space.

The new entrant Reliance Jio has caused a considerable disruption in the space. No matter it is working out to the benefit of the consumer and helping the industry expand albeit at a much lower cost to the end-user, well-entrenched rivals now are on a slippery wicket.

Vodafone India for example is considering its options of a possible merger with one of the existing rivals. Or, the things could take such a turn that it may be inclined to join the tough new entrant — Jio.

On the other hand, the leading telco Bharti Airtel too launched a number of schemes to face competition. Meanwhile, Airtel is reportedly in discussion to buy Telenor’s India business in a deal that will involve taking on debt of Rs 1,500 crore to take on Reliance Jio. Telenor operates in six of the 22 telecom circles in India and offers 2G services to its 45 million users.

Although, there were reports that Vodafone may be seeking merger with Idea or Jio, experts believe a merger with the former was a possibility. Vodafone had launched several tariffs to browbeat competition from Airtel and Jio. The Indian unit is reportedly seeking a merger with one of the top telecom companies following intensified competition. Vodafone may be keen for a possible tie-up with Idea, Jio or another of the top three providers. Jio’s aggressive tariffs and heavy investments started impacting competitor a few weeks after it entered.

Experts opine that the industry is prepared for a major consolidation with smaller companies such as Telenor likely to be bought over and middle-level companies such as Reliance Communication and Aircel seeking mergers. The exercise will eventually leave space for some 3-4 players.

But, there is some apprehension. With two decades of existence, it may be a bit early to expect merger for Idea or Vodafone. Vodafone may rather go for a buyout.

In September 2016, Vodafone invested Rs 47,700 crore in the Indian unit, most of which was used to reduce debt to Rs 35,430 crore by the end of second quarter of 2016-17. By September, the Indian company had 200 million mobile customers. In November, Vodafone cut the valuation of its Indian unit by GBP 5 billion owing to stiff competition.

January 9, 2017
Airtel, Vodafone lead market; UP East adds max subs

MUMBAI: Witnessing a healthy growth in telecom penetration, the GSM subscriber base in the country grew to 801.81 million in November 2016. COAI, the association of mobile telephony service providers in the country, which released the November GSM subscriber base numbers, has said the number of GSM subscribers witnessed a jump of 10.18 million as compared to the previous month.

Telecom industry’s steady growth was recorded in net subscriber additions from 2.09 million in August to 10.18 million in November.

Amongst the telecom companies, Bharti Airtel continued to hold on to the pole position in November, adding another 1.08 million additional subscribers during the month to take its total subscriber base to 263.35 million mobile subscribers. Closely followed by Vodafone with 202.79 million subscribers and Idea Cellular with 187.68 million subscribers. With 32.84%, Bharti Airtel owns the maximum market share in the industry.

The report, which also assesses the growth of mobile subscribers across various circles in India said, UP East added the maximum number of subscribers (73.82 million) in November and Idea added the maximum number of subscribers (7.43 million) in November.

Talking about the growth in the subscriber base, COAI director-general Rajan S Mathews said, “The telecommunication industry has again posted a good growth for the month of November 2016. It is heartening to see that the industry is showing signs of a robust growth and we have again moved ahead in ensuring complete connectivity at all levels. Telecom companies have been contributing towards fulfilling the government’s vision of Digital India since beginning and we will continue bridge the digital divide for a fully connected and digitally empowered India.”

Speaking about the impact made by the telecom industry, he added, “We are an enabler of comprehensive growth. The industry has also ensured that the government’s plans reach even the farthest corners of the country and everyone is equally benefitted from the digital revolution.”

January 3, 2017
Airtel, Vodafone lead market; UP East adds max subs

MUMBAI: Witnessing a healthy growth in telecom penetration, the GSM subscriber base in the country grew to 801.81 million in November 2016. COAI, the association of mobile telephony service providers in the country, which released the November GSM subscriber base numbers, has said the number of GSM subscribers witnessed a jump of 10.18 million as compared to the previous month.

Telecom industry’s steady growth was recorded in net subscriber additions from 2.09 million in August to 10.18 million in November.

Amongst the telecom companies, Bharti Airtel continued to hold on to the pole position in November, adding another 1.08 million additional subscribers during the month to take its total subscriber base to 263.35 million mobile subscribers. Closely followed by Vodafone with 202.79 million subscribers and Idea Cellular with 187.68 million subscribers. With 32.84%, Bharti Airtel owns the maximum market share in the industry.

The report, which also assesses the growth of mobile subscribers across various circles in India said, UP East added the maximum number of subscribers (73.82 million) in November and Idea added the maximum number of subscribers (7.43 million) in November.

Talking about the growth in the subscriber base, COAI director-general Rajan S Mathews said, “The telecommunication industry has again posted a good growth for the month of November 2016. It is heartening to see that the industry is showing signs of a robust growth and we have again moved ahead in ensuring complete connectivity at all levels. Telecom companies have been contributing towards fulfilling the government’s vision of Digital India since beginning and we will continue bridge the digital divide for a fully connected and digitally empowered India.”

Speaking about the impact made by the telecom industry, he added, “We are an enabler of comprehensive growth. The industry has also ensured that the government’s plans reach even the farthest corners of the country and everyone is equally benefitted from the digital revolution.”

January 3, 2017