ITV

Tag: MTNL

  • ACT enters TRAI’s top 5 broadband players list

    ACT enters TRAI’s top 5 broadband players list

    BENGALURU: South Indian wired broadband internet services provider Atria Convergence Technologies Limited was among Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) list of top 5 broadband internet services providers in the month ended 31 July 2019 (Jul-19, month or period under consideration). ACT added approximately 20,000 subscribers during the month under consideration to reach a subscriber base of 0.147 crore (14.7 million, 1.47 million). Also, You Broadband with 0.075 crore (7.5 lakh, 0.75 million) wired broadband subscribers,
    re-entered TRAI’s list of top 5 wired broadband internet players with the exit of the public sector MTNL from that list

    Overall Broadband Internet subscriber base

    As per TRAI data for Jul-19, India’s broadband subscriber base across all platforms grew 2.25 percent or by 0.953 crore (95.3 lakh, 9.53 million) to 60.412 crore (6,041.2 lakh, 604.12 million) from 59.459 crore (5,945.9 lakh, 595.49 million) in Jun-19. Please refer to the figure below:

    The top five service providers constituted 98.95 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Jul-19. These service providers were Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd with 33.979 crore (3,397.9 lakh, 339.79 million) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 12.394 crore (1,239.4 lakh, 123.94 million) subscribers, Vodafone Idea with 11.092 crore (1,109.2 lakh, 110.92 million) subscribers, BSNL with 2.164 crore (216.4 lakh, 21.64 million) subscribers and Atria Convergence with 0.147 crore (14.7 lakh, 1.47 million) subscribers.

    Wired Broadband Internet subscribers

    The number of wired broadband internet subscribers grew by just 10,000 in July-19. ACT and Hathway showed growth in subscribers, while BSNL and Bharti Airtel showed stagnant subscriber bases. As mentioned above, MTNL exited TRAI’s list of top 5 wired broadband internet servive providers while You Broadband re-entered it. ACT grew its base by 20,000 subscribers while Hathway’ssubscriber base grew by 10,000. This means that the other players which include MSOs’/LCOs’, lost 20,000 subscribersduring Jul-19.

    As on 31 July, 2019, the top five Wired Broadband Service providers were BSNL with 0.095 crore (90.5 lakh 9.05 million) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 0.24 crore (24 lakh, 2.40 million) subscribers, Atria Convergence Technologies with 0.147 crore (14.7 lakh, 1.47 million), Hathway Cable & Datacom with 0.085 crore (8.5 lakh, 0.85 million) subscribers and You Broadband with 0.075 crore (7.5 lakh, 0.75 million).

    Wireless Broadband Internet subscribers

    As on 31 July, 2019, the top five Wireless Broadband Service providers were Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd  with 33.979 crore (3,397.9 lakh 339.79 million) subscribers, Bharti Airtel with 12.154 crore (1,215.4 lakh, 121.54 million)subscribers, Vodafone Idea with 11.090 crore (1,109 lakh, 110.90 million) subscribers, BSNL with 1.258 crore (125.8 lakh, 12.58 million) subscribers and MTNL with 0.021 crore (2.1 lakh, 0.21 million) subscribers.
     

  • Broadband subscriber growth improved in Jun-19

    Broadband subscriber growth improved in Jun-19

    BENGALURU: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data for the month ended 30 June 2019 (Jun-19, month or period under review) reveals that broadband subscriber additions have improved. Jun-19 recorded the second-highest number of subscriber additions in a month in the calendar year (CY 19) until 30 June 2019 at 130.8 lakh. The highest number of subscriber additions in CY 2019 was in the month ended 31 January 2019 (Jan-19) at 214.l9 lakh. 130.7 lakh broadband subscribers were added in India in the month ended 31 March 2019 (Mar-19).

    The highest growth in broadband subscribers was wireless internet subscribers through Mobile – (Phones and Dongles) with 131.1 lakh subscriber additions during the period under review. Wired internet subscriber base in Jun-19 declined by 30,000, while subscribers of Fixed wireless- WiFi, Wi Max, Point to Point, Radio, Vsat remained static at 5.4 lakh.

    Wireless broadband internet subscribers

    In the case of wireless or mobile, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (Jio) was the biggest contributor in terms of broadband subscribers with 82.7 lakh subscribers added during the month under review. Jio’s subscriber base in Jun-19 was 3,312.6 lakh as compared to 3,229.9 lakh subscribers in May-19. Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel), the second largest wireless broadband internet player in terms of subscribers, added 31.40 lakh wireless subscribers in Jun-19 to take its subscriber base to 1,190.90 lakh from 1,159,5 lakh in May-19. At third rank, the merged Idea-Vodafone entity added 15.1 lakh subscribers in Jun-19 to achieve a subscriber base of 1,105 lakh from 1,089.9 lakh in May-19. The fourth-ranked public sector BSNL added 3 lakh wireless broadband subscribers in Jun-19 for subscriber base of 128.7 lakh from 125.7 lakh in May-19. At fifth rank, Tata Teleservices saw its wireless broadband subscriber base decline by 90,000 to 14 lakh in Jun-19 from 14.9 lakh in May-19.

    Wired broadband internet subscribers 

    As mentioned above, wired internet subscriber base declined by 30,000 in Jun-19 to 18.42 lakh in Jun-19 from 18.45 lakh in May-19. The two public sector wired broadband internet service providers – BSNL and MTNL lost 1.3 lakh wired broadband internet subscribers. Among the top 5 wired internet broadband internet subscribers, three private players added 1.1 lakh subscribers. Besides BSNL and MTNL losing 20,000 wired broadband subscribers, another 10,000 subscribers were lost by the other players during Jun-19.

    BSNL continued to be the leading wired broadband internet services provider in Jun-19 with 90.5 lakh subscribers as compared to 90.9 lakh subscribers in the previous month, hence incurred a loss of 40,000 subscribers during the month. At second place was Airtel which added 10,000 subscribers in Jun-19 for a subscriber base of 24 lakh as compared to 23.9 lakh in May-19. Atria Convergence Technologies or ACT was ranked third in terms of number of wired broadband subscribers. ACT also added 10,000 subscribers in Jun-19 to reach a subscriber base of 14.5 lakh as compared to 14.4 lakh in May-19. Hathway Cable and Datacom Ltd (Hathway) added 90,000 wired broadband subscribers to reach a subscriber base of 8.4 lakh in Jun-19 from 7.5 lakh in May-19. Fifth-ranked MTNL lost 90,000 subscribers in Jun-19 to reach a base of 7.4 lakh wired broadband subscribers in Jun-19 from 8.3 lakh in May-19.

    All broadband internet subscribers

    The top five broadband service providers constituted 98.72 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Jun-19. These service providers were Jio with 3,312.6 lakh (331.26 million, 33.126 crore) subscribers, Airtel with 1,214.93 lakh (121.49 million, 12.149 crore) subscribers, Vodafone Idea with 1,105.2 lakh (110.52 million, 11.052 crore) subscribers, BSNL with 219.3 lakh (21.93 million, 2.193 crore) subscribers and Tata Teleservices with 17.6 lakh (1.76 million, 0.176 crore) subscribers.

  • Broadband subs growth still sluggish in May 2019

    Broadband subs growth still sluggish in May 2019

    BENGALURU: India’s broadband subscribers growth has slowed down over the past few months according to data released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). For the first time in 17 months, two consecutive months saw subscribers grow less than 1 crore (10 million, 100 lakh) per month. India’s broadband internet subscribers grew by 0.956 crore (9.56 million, 95.6 lakh) or 1.7 percent month-on-month (m-o-m) in the month ended 31 May 2019 (May-19, month under review) and grew by 0.864 crore (8.64 million, 86.4 lakh) or 1.5 percent m-o-m in the month ended 30 April 2019 (Apr-19). In March 2019, broadband internet subscribers grew by 1.307 crore (13.07 million, 130.7 lakh) or 2.5 percent m-o-m as compared to Feb-19. Broadband internet subscribers across all platforms grew in May-19 to 58.151 crore (581.51 million, 5,815.1 lakh) from 57.195 crore (571.95 million, 5,719.5 lakh) in Apr-19. The total broadband subscriber base in Mar-19 stood at 56.331 crore (563.31 million, 5,633.1 lakh).

    As has been the norm, broadband internet subscriber growth was led by Mobile devices users (Phones and dongles) in May-19. Mobile device broadband subscribers grew by 1.027 crore (10.27 million, 102.7 lakh) or 1.8 percent m-o-m to 56.252 crore (562.52 million, 5,625.2 lakh) in May-19 from 55.225 crore (552.25 million, 5,522.5 lakh) in Apr-19. Mukesh Dhirbhai Ambani’s biggest startup in the world – Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio) led growth with the addition of 0.818 crore (8.18 million, 81.8 lakh) in May-19 at 32.299 crore (322.99 million or 3,229.9 lakh) from 31.481 crore (318.41 million, 3,184.1 lakh) in Apr-19. Bharti Airtel (Airtel) witnessed wireless subscriber growth of 0.262 crore (2.62 million or 26.2 lakh) in May-19 at 11.595 crore (115.95 million or 1,159.5 lakh) from 11.333 crore (113.33 million or 1,133.3 lakh) in Apr-19. The third largest broadband internet services player in the country – the Vodafone-Idea combine saw wireless internet subscribers decline by 0.065 crore (0.65 million or 6.5 lakh) in May-19 to 10.899 crore (108.99 million or 1,089.9 lakh) from 10.964 crore (109.64 million, 1,096.4 lakh) in Apr-19. The public sector BSNL saw subscribers grow 0.018 crore (0.18 million, 1.8 lakh) to 1.257 crore (12.57 million or 125.7 lakh) from 1.239 crore (12.39 million or 123.9 lakh) in Apr-19.

    Wired subscribers grew 0.2 percent or by 40,000 to 1.845 crore (18.45 million, 184.5 lakh) in May-19 from 1.841 crore (18.41 million or 184.1 lakh) in Apr-19. Three of the five top wired internet players saw subscriber growth, one witnessed decline and one saw no growth at all. The largest wired broadband internet player- BSNL saw subscribers decline by 60,000 to 0.909 crore (9.09 million or 90.9 crore) in May-19 from 0.915 crore (9.15 million or 91.5 lakh) in Apr-19. The largest private wired broadband internets services player in the country – Airtel witnessed subscriber growth of 10,000 to 0.239 crore (2.39 million or 23.9 lakh) in May-19 from 0.238 crore (2.38 million or 23.8 lakh) in Apr-19. Atria Convergence Technologies or  ACT also witnessed subscriber growth of 10,000 in May-19 to 0.144 crore (1.44 million or 14.4) lakh from 0.143 crore (1.43 million or 14.3 lakh). The fourth largest wired internet services player in terms of subscribers – Hathway also saw its subscriber base grow by 10,000 to 0.083 crore (0.83 million or 8.3 lakh) from 0.082 crore (0.82 million or 8.2 lakh). The fifth largest wired broadband internet services player – MTNL saw no growth in subscribers in May-19 as compared to Apr-19. BASNL had a subscriber growth of 0.075 crore (0.75 million or 7.5 lakh) at the end of May-19.

    The top five broadband internet service providers across all platforms constituted 98.69 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of May-19. These service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd  (Jio)  at 32.299 crore (322.99 million, 3,229.9 lakh), Bharti Airtel 11.834 crore (118.34 million, 1,183.4 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.901 crore (109.01 million, 1,090.1 lakh), BSNL 2.167 crore (21.67 million or 216.7 lakh) and Tata Teleservices 0.187 crore (1.87 million, 18.7 lakh).

  • Broadband internet subscriber additions small in April 2019

    Broadband internet subscriber additions small in April 2019

    BENGALURU: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data for the month ended 30 April 2019 (Apr-19, month under review) reveals that India’s broadband subscriber base grew by 86.4 lakh (8.64 million, 0.864 crore). This is only the fourth time over the past 15 months that less than 1 crore subscribers were added, the earlier occasions being for the month ended 31 August 2018 (34.1 lakh, 3.14 million 0.314 crore), 31 December 2018 (66.5 lakh, 6.65 million, 0.665 crore) and 30 April 2018 (71.9 lakh, 7.91 million, 0.791 crore).  It must be noted that TRAI indicates subscriber data in terms of millions  up to two decimal points, hence the granularity of subscriber data in this report is limited to 10,000.

    Growth in the country’s broadband internet subscriber base was led by mobile (phones and dongles), followed by growth in subscribers of Fixed wireless- WiFi, Wi Max, Point to Point, Radio, Vsat internet services. Wired broadband internet subscriber base saw a decline in Apr-19.

    As mentioned above, broadband internet subscribers grew by 86.4 lakh (8.64 million, 0.864 crore), or by 1.53 percent to 5,719.5 lakh (571.95 million, 57.195 crore) in Apr-19 as compared to 5,633.1 lakh (563.31 million, 56.331 crore) at the end of Mar-19. Mobile broadband internet subscribers increased by 78.8 lakh (7.88 million or 0.788 crore) in Apr-19 or 1.45 percent to 5,522.5 Lakh (552.25 million, 55.225 crore) from 5,443.7 lakh (544.37 million, 54.437 crore) in Mar-19. Wired broadband internet subscriber based declined by 0.04 percent or declined by about 10,000 to 184.1 lakh (18.41 million, 1.841 crore) in Apr-19 from 184.2 lakh (18.41 million or 1.841 crore) in Mar-19.  Subscribers of Fixed wireless- WiFi, Wi Max, Point to Point, Radio, Vsat internet services more than doubled (increased by 147.22 percent, 7.6 lakh or 0.76 million or 0.076 crore) during the period under review to 12.8 lakh (1.28 million, 0.128 crore) from 5.2 lakh (0.52 million or 0.052 crore) in the previous month Mar-19.

    The top five broadband internet service providers constituted 98.68 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Apr-19. These service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd or Jio  which had 3,148.1 lakh (314.81 million, 31.481 crore);  Bharti Airtel  or Airtel with 1,157.1 lakh (115.71 million, 11.571 crore); Vodafone Idea 1,096.6 lakh (109.66 million, 10.966.crore), BSNL 222.9 lakh  (22.29 million, 2.229 crore) and Tata Tele. Group 19.4 lakh (1.94 million, 0.194 crore).

    Wireless broadband internet subscribers

    As on 30 April, 2019, the top five Wireless Broadband Service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd  with 3,148.1 lakh (314.81 million, 31.481 crore), Bharti Airtel 1,133.3 lakh (113.33 million, 11.333 crore), Vodafone Idea 1,096.4 lakh (109.64 million, 10.964 crore), BSNL 123.9 lakh (12.39 million, 1.239 crore) and Tata Teleservices 15.4 lakh (1.54 million, 0.154 crore).

    As has been the case right from the time it was launched, growth in wireless broadband internet subscribers was led by Jio which added 80.9 lakh (8.90 million, 0.809 crore) subscribers in Apr-19.  Airtel added 10.7 lakh (1.07 million, 0.107 crore) during the period, while Vodafone-Idea lost 5.6 lakh (0.56 million, 0.56 crore). Also, BSNL lost 5.4 lakh (0.54 million, 0.054 crore) subscribers during the period under review.

    Wired broadband internet subscribers

    As on 30 April, 2019, the top five Wired Broadband Service providers were BSNL with 91.5 lakh (9.15 million, 0.915 crore), Bharti Airtel 23.8 lakh (2.38 million 0.238 crore), Atria Convergence Technologies  or ACT with 14.3 lakh (1.43 million, 0.143 crore), Hathway Cable & Datacom or Hathway with 8.2 lakh (0.82 million, 0.082 crore) and MTNL 7.5 lakh (0.75 million, 0.075 crore).

    Both the public sector service providers BSNL and MTNL lost subscribers in Apr-19, while the three private players – Airtel, ACT and Hathway gained subscribers in Apr-19. BSNL lost 20,000 subscribers, while MTNL lost 40,000 subscribers in Apr-19. Hathway and Airtel added 50,000 subscribers each, while ACT added 20,000 subscribers during the month under review. Overall, the top 5 subscribers added a net of 60,000 subscribers in Apr-19, while the number of wired broadband subscribers in India shrank by 10,000, hence, the other players which include MSOs’ and LCOs’ saw their wired broadband subscriber base decline by 70,000.

  • Airtel led broadband subscriber growth in Jan-19

    Airtel led broadband subscriber growth in Jan-19

    BENGALURU: The Sunil Mittal-promoted Bharti Airtel Ltd (Airtel) led broadband subscriber growth, both wired as well as wired internet, for the month ended 31 January 2019 (1 January 2019 to 31 January 2019, Jan-19) according to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data for the period. In Jan-19, Airtel added 0.997 crore (9.97 million, 99.7 lakh) wireless subscribers, hence upstaging the Mukesh Ambani’s juggernaut Reliance JioInfocomm (Jio) which added 0.932 crore (9.32 crore, 93.2 lakh) subscribers in Jan-19. Airtel also added 30,000 or about 30 percent to the growth of 1,00,000 in wired broadband internet subscribers Jan-19.

    Overall, the number of broadband subscribers grew by 2.149 crore (21.49 million, 214.9 lakh) in Jan-19, much higher than the 1.532 crore (15.32 million, 153.2 lakh) subscribers that were added in Jan-18, and even higher than the 2.054 crore (20.54 million, 205.4 lakh) subscribers added in Mar-18, the month which saw the highest number of subscribers added in any month in 2018. In percentage terms, India’s broadband subscriber base grew by 4.1 percent in Jan-19 to reach 54.004 crore (540.04 million, 5,400.4 lakh) from 51.855 crore (518.55 million, 5185.5 lakh) in Dec-18.

    In Jan-19, wireless broadband internet subscribers constituted about 96.5 percent of the broadband internet services base in India, followed by wired broadband internet services (3.4 percent) and Fixed Wireless subscribers (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to- Point Radio & VSAT) at about 0.1 percent. While the subscriber base of the former two grew in Jan-19, in the case of Fixed Wireless subscribers (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to- Point Radio & VSAT) the base declined by about 10,000 .

    Please refer to the figures below:

    In Jan-19, the top five service providers constituted 98.63 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Jan-19. These service providers were Jio 28.994 crore (289.94 million, 2,899.4 lakh), Airtel 11.025 crore (110.25 million, 1,102.5 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.986 crore (109.86 million, 1,098.6 lakh), BSNL 2.081 crore (20.81 million, 208.1 lakh) and Tata Tele group 0.226 crore (2.26 million, 22.6 lakh).

    Wireless broadband internet – mobile device users (phones and dongles)

    As mentioned above, India’s wireless broadband internet services have been leading broadband internet subscriber base as well as subscriber growth in the country  – wireless broadband internet subscriber base grew 4.28 percent in Jan-19 to reach 52.135 crore (521.35 million, 5213.5 lakh) from 49.995 crore (499.95 million, 4999.5 lakh) at the end of Dec-18.

    As on 31 January, 2019, the top five wireless broadband service providers were Jio  28.944 crore (289.44 million, 2,894.4 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.984 crore (109.84 million, 1,098.4 lakh), Airtel  10.796 crore (107.96 million, 1,079.6 lakh), BSNL 1.164 crore (11.64 million, 116.4 lakh) and Tata Teleservices 0.179 crore (1.79 million, 17.9 lakh).

    Wired broadband internet

    Also, as mentioned above, India’s wired broadband internet subscribers grew by 1,00,000 (0.56 percent) in Jan-19. There were 1.827 crore (18.27 million, 182.7 lakh) wired broadband internet subscribers in the period under consideration as compared to 1.817 crore 18.17 million, 181.7 lakh) in the previous month, Dec-18.

    As on 31 January, 2019, the top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL 0.917 crore (9.17 million), 91.7 lakh, Bharti Airtel 0.23 crore (2.30 million, 23 lakh), Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) 0.14 crore (1.40 million, 14 lakh), Hathway Cable & Datacom (Hathway) 0.079 crore  (0.79 million, 7.9 lakh) and MTNL 0.077 crore  (0.77 million, 7.7 lakh).

    While the public sector BSNL’s subscriber base remained stagnant, its smaller public sector sibling MTNL lost 10,000 subscribers, as well its fourth rank in terms of number of wired broadband subscribers in Jan-19 to Hathway which had added 10,000 subscribers in the same period. The other player – ACT also added 10,000 subscribers in Jan-19.
     

     

  • Broadband internet subscriber growth rate slowed down in December 2018

    Broadband internet subscriber growth rate slowed down in December 2018

    BENGALURU: Month-on-month (MOM) broadband internet subscriber growth in December 2018 (Dec-18) was the second lowest in 2018 at just 66.5 lakh (6.65 million, 0.665 crore) subscriber additions or 1.3 percent as compared to the immediate trailing month – Nov-18. The lowest growth was in the month of Aug-18 at just 34.1 lakh (3.41 million or 0.341 crore)  or 0.7 percent as compared to the previous month based on Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) monthly telecom data reports.Bharti Airtel has lost wireless broadband internet subscribers in the month of Dec-18.

    Broadband subscribers across wired, mobile device (phones and dongles) and fixed wireless grew 42.9 percent from 3,628.7 lakh (362.87 million or 36.287 crore) as of 31 December 2017 by 1,556.8 lakh (155.68 million or 15.568 crore) to 5,185.5 lakh (518.85 million or 51.885 crore) as of 31 December 2018. Please refer to the figures below for MOM subscriber growth trends.

    Mobile devices comprising of phones and dongles is the largest constituent of India’s broadband internet subscriber base at 96.4 percent. Growth in broadband internet subscribers in calendar year 2018 (CY 2018) was led by growth in mobile devices users at 99.8 percent or 1,553.80 lakh (155.38 million or 15.538 crore) of new subscribers added in the year. Broadband internet subscribers through mobile devices grew 45.1percent from 3,445.7 lakh (344.57 million or 34.457 crore) at the end of Dec-17 to 4,999.50 lakh (499.95 million or 49.995 crore) at the end of Dec18.

    Wired broadband internet subscribers grew 1.7 percent or by 3.1 lakh (0.31 million or 0.031 crore) in CY 2018 from 178.6 lakh (17.86 million or 1,786 crore) at the end of Dec17 to 181.7 lakh (18.17 million or 1.817 crore) at the end of Dec-18.

    Fixed wireless- WiFi, Wi Max, Point to Point, Radio, Vsat broadband internet subscribers   declined by about 10,000 (fell by about 2.7 percent) from 4.4 lakh (0.44 million or 0.044 crore) at the end of Dec-17 to 4.3 lakh (0.43 million or 0.043 crore) at the end of Dec-18.

    Please refer to the figure below for details of broadband internet subscribers at the end of each month starting from Dec-17 until Dec-18.

    Airtel loses broadband internet subscribers.

    The top five broadband internet service providers across all segments constituted 
    98.57 percent marketshare of the total broadbandsubscribers at the end of Dec18. These service providers wereReliance JioInfocomm Ltd 28,01.2 lakh (280.12 million or 28.012 crore), Vodafone Idea 1,079.2 lakh (107.92 million or 10.792 crore), Bharti Airtel 1,002.6 lakh (100.26 million or 10.026 crore), BSNL 205.5 lakh (20.55million or 2.055 crore) and Tata Tele. Group 22,6 lakh (2.26 million or 0.226 crore).

    Wireless broadband internet subscribers (mobiles and dongles)

    Bharti Airtel Limited lost 45 lakh (4.5 million or 0.45 crore) wireless broadband internet subscribers in the month of Dec-18. The company’s wireless broadband internet subscriber base fell to 979.9 lakh (97.99 million or 9.799 crore) at the end of Dec-18 from 1,024.9 lakh (102.49 million or 10.259 crore) at the end of Nov-18.

    As on 31 December, 2018, the top five wireless broadband service providers were Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd 2801.2 lakh (280.12 million or 28.012 crore), Vodafone Idea 1079 lakh (107.90 million or 10.79 crore), Bharti Airtel 979.9 lakh (97.99 million or 9.799 crore), BSNL 113.8 (11.38 million or 1.138 crore) and Tata Teleservices 17.9 lakh (1.79 million or 0.179n crore).

    Wired broadband internet subscribers

    The combined total number of broadband subscribers of the top 5 wired broadband internet service providers fell by about 60,000 in 2018, hence their market share among the wired broadband internet services providers has declined. The biggest losers were the public sector BSNL and MTNL, which lost 23 lakh (2.3 million or 0.23 crore) and 13 lakh (1.3 million or 0.13 crore) subscribers respectively in CY 2018.  Their subscriber bases at the end of 2018 were 91.7 lakh and 7.8 lakh respectively. Airtel added 1.2 lakh (0.12 million or 0.012 crore) subscribers in the year, while Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) added 1.1 lakh (0.11 million or 0.011 crore) subscribers. The fifth wired broadband internet services among the top 5 –Hathway Cable & Datacom (Hathway) added 50,000 subscribers in CY 2018.

    As on 31 December, 2018, the top five Wired Broadband Service providers were BSNL 91.7 lakh (9.17 million or 0.917 crore), Bharti Airtel 22.7 lakh (2.27 million or 0.227 crore), ACT 13.9 lakh (1.39 million or 0.139 crore), MTNL 7.8 lakh (0.78 million or 0.078 crore) and Hathway7.8 lakh (0.78 million or 0.078 crore). 
     

  • NDMC is first civic body to provide HD cable TV service

    NDMC is first civic body to provide HD cable TV service

    MUMBAI: New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has become the first civic body to provide high-definition cable television services to residents of Lutyens' Delhi from mid-February. The municipal body has entered into a partnership with Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd and telecom company Oneott Intertainment to provide the service.

    According to media reports, NDMC will provide HD satellite TV service through the underground optic fibre network. In select NDMC areas, MTNL is providing high-speed internet and voice facility through the FTTH technology. Apart from over-the-top services like Netflix, YouTube, television channels can now be accessed also. However, users have to take the MTNL-NDMC internet connection to enjoy all the services together on any screen.

    "We can't offer rates below those decided by the Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) for implementation from 1 February, but we assure users they will be marginally over that," MTNL CMD Pravin Kumar Purwar said but he assured the cost would be "reasonable”.

    The headend-in-the-sky (HITS) technology is also being employed along with FTTH to enable a smooth service which would not be hampered by sun or rain outage. Along with signing a MoU with MTNL, the civic body signed an agreement with leading HITS service provider Nxt Digital too.

    Earlier in 2017, NDMC entered into a partnership with MTNL to offer internet connectivity through Wi-Fi service in public places and FTTH services. NDMC chairman Naresh Kumar said that success of the earlier project encouraged them to utilise the same facility for providing cable TV services.

    “By 15 February, we will start publicising the service and holding camps to invite applications from subscribers for commercial connections,” he added. The services will be initially offered in Connaught Place and its neighbourhood on a pilot basis.

  • Jio continues wireless broadband domination, adds 8.8 mn subs in Nov

    Jio continues wireless broadband domination, adds 8.8 mn subs in Nov

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s largest start-up in the world in the form of Reliance JioInfocomm Limited (Jio) continued to lead broadband internet subscriber growth for the month of November 2018 (month ended 30 November 2018, Nov-18, period or month under review). Jio registered a net growth of 0.88 crore (8.8 million, 88 lakh) subscribers or 3.35 percent during the month of Nov-18. Since 31 December 2017 (Dec-17) or 1 January 2018, Jio’s subscriber base grew 11.146 crore (111.46 million 1114.6 lakh) until 30 November 2018. At present, Jio’s subscriber base comprises of only mobile device users – phones and dongles.

    The Vodafone and Idea merger has made the new entity Vodafone-Idea the second largest wireless or mobile broad services provider in the country after Jio.

    Overall, 1.578 crore (15.78 million, 1578 lakh) net broadband subscribers were added in Nov-18 – India’s broadband subscriber base grew by 3.18 percent in Nov 18.  Subscriber growth was only by mobile device users (phones and dongles) or mobile wireless users. Both wired broadband subscribers and fixed wireless, subscribers bases declined in November 2018

    Mobile device users subscriber base grew the 1.71 crore (17.10 million, 171 lakh) or 3.39 percent during the month under review. India had a mobile device users subscriber base of 49.43 crore (494.30 million or 4,943.0 lakh) at the end of Nov-18 as compared to 47.72 crore (477.2 million, 4,772 lakh) at the end of Oct-18.

    Please refer to the figure below

    As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data for Nov-18, the top five service providers constituted 98.56 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Nov-18 as compared to 98.42 percent market share at the end of Oct-18. These service providers were Jio 27.155 crore (271.55 million, 2,627.5 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.544 crore (105.44 million, 1,054.4 lakh), Bharti Airtel 10.474 crore (104.74 million, 1,047.4 lakh), BSNL 2.045 crore (20.45 million, 204.5 lakh) and Tata Tele Group 0.232 crore (2.32 million, 23.2 lakh). Tata Tele Group has lost broadband internet subscribers in Nov-18 as compared to Oct-18

    As on 30 November 2018, the top five wireless broadband service providers were 27.155 crore (271.55 million, 2,627.5 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.543 crore (105.43 million, 1,0543 lakh), Bharti Airtel 10.249 crore (102.49 million, 1024.9 lakh), BSNL 1.129 crore (11.29 million, 112.9 lakh) and Tata Teleservices 0.184 crore (1.84 million, 18.4 lakh).Tata Tele Group has lost broadband internet subscribers in Nov-18 as compared to Oct-18.

    As on 30 November, 2018, the top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL 0.917 crore (9.17 million, 91.7 lakh), Bharti Airtel 0.226 crore (2.26 million, 22.6 lakh), Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) 0.138 crore (1.38 million, 13.8 lakh), MTNL 0.078 crore (0.78 million, 7.8 lakh) and Hathway Cable & Datacom (Hathway) 0.077 crore (0.77 million, 7.7 lakh).The public sector MTNL continued to lose subscribers in Nov-18. 

    Notes: According to Trai, Broadband internet means services with speeds equal to or higher than 512 kpbs.

    Trai provides data in millions and to the second decimal place, hence the granularity of the data in this report is 10,000.
     

  • Jio continues to lead broadband internet growth in Oct-18

    Jio continues to lead broadband internet growth in Oct-18

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s largest start-up in the world in the form of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (Jio) continued to lead broadband internet subscriber growth for the month of October 2018 (month ended 31 October 2018, Oct-18, period or month under review). Jio registered a net growth of 1.302 crore (13.02 million, 130.20 lakh) subscribers or 5.4 per cent during the month of October 2018. Since 31 December 2017 (Dec-17) or 1 January 2018, Jio’s subscriber base grew 9.216 crore (92.16 million 921.6 lakh) until 31 October 2018. At present, Jio’s subscriber base comprises only mobile device users – phones and dongles.

    The Vodafone and Idea merger has made the new entity Vodafone-Idea the second largest wireless or mobile broad services provider in the country after Jio. Bharti Airtel is the second largest broadband internet services provider in India if one were to consider its wireless and wired internet subscriber base.

    Overall, 1.442 crore (14.42 million, 144.2 lakh) net broadband subscribers were added in October 2018 – India’s broadband subscriber base grew by 2.99 percent in Oct-18.  

    The largest growth was by mobile device users (phones and dongles) or mobile wireless users, followed by wired broadband subscribers which registered a small growth of 0.011 crore (0.11 million, 1.1 lakh) or 0.60 per cent in Oct-18. Fixed wireless subscribers base declined by 0.0003 crore (0.003 million, 0.03 lakh) or declined by 0.43 per cent in October 2018

    Mobile device users subscriber base grew the 1.431 crore (14.31 million, 143.1 lakh) or 3.09 per cent during the month under review. India had a mobile device users subscriber base of 47.72 crore (477.20 million or 4,772.0 lakh) at the end of Oct-18 as compared to 46.289 crore (462.89 million, 4,628.9 lakh) at the end of Sep-18.

    As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data for Oct-18, the top five service providers constituted 98.42 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Oct-18. These service providers were Jio 26.275 crore (262.75 million, 2,627.5 lakh), Bharti Airtel 10.139 crore (101.39 million, 1,013.9 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.133 crore (101.33 million, 1,013.3 lakh), BSNL 2.03 crore (20.30 million, 203 lakh) and Tata Tele. Group 0.251 crore (2.51 million, 25.1 lakh).

    As on 31 October, 2018, the top five Wireless Broadband Service providers were Jio 26.275 crore (262.75 million, 2,627.5 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.132 crore (101.32 million, 1,013.3 lakh), Bharti Airtel 9.914 crore (99.14 million, 991.4 lakh), BSNL 1.115 crore (11.15 million, 111.5 lakh) and Tata Teleservices 0.199 crore (1.99 million, 19.9 lakh).

    As on 31 October, 2018, the top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL 0.915 crore (9.15 million, 91.5 lakh), Bharti Airtel 0.225 crore (2.25 million, 22.5 lakh), Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) 0.137 crore (1.37 million), 13.7 lakh, MTNL 0.079 crore (0.79 million, 7.9 lakh) and Hathway Cable & Datacom (Hathway) 0.075 crore (0.75 million, 7.5 lakh).

    The public sector MTNL continued to lose subscribers in Oct-18. As per TRAI data, MTNL’s subscriber base declined by 10,000 during the period nunder review. Among the top 5 wired broadband internet services providers, while Airtel and ACT added 10,000 subscribers each, besides MTNL, the other two players – BSNL and Hathway had no change in the number of subscribers in Oct-18 as compared to Sep-18. However, it is heartening to note that other smaller players, which could include MSOs and LCOs added 0.01 crore (0.1 million, 1 lakh) subscribers in the month.

    Notes: According to Trai, Broadband internet means services with speeds equal to or higher than 512 kpbs.

    Trai provides data in millions and to the second decimal place, hence the granularity of the data in this report is 10,000.

  • Sep-18: Wireline broadband subscriber base continued to fall

    Sep-18: Wireline broadband subscriber base continued to fall

    BENGALURU: India’s broadband internet subscriber base increased 3.89 per cent or by 1.805 crore (1805 lakh or 18.05 million) in September 2018 (month ended 30 September 2018, Sep-18, period under review) according to the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data. There were 48.170 crore (4,817 lakh or 481.70 million) broadband internet subscribers as on 30 September 2018 as compared to 44.518 crore (4,451.8 lakh, 445.18 million) at the end of August 2018. Broadband subscribers through mobile devices such as phones and dongles grew 3.98 per cent or 0.774 crore (77.4 lakh, 7.74 million) in Sep-18 to 46.289 crore (4,628.9 lakh, 462.89 million from 44.518 crore (4,451.8 lakh, 445.18 million) at the end of August 2018.

    Wired internet services lost around 30,000 subscribers (0.18 per cent) in Sep-18 according to TRAI data.  The total number of wired broadband internet subscribers declined to 1.799 crore (179.9 lakh, 17.99 million) in Sep-18 from 1.802 crore (180.2 lakh, 18.02 million Aug-18.

    The number of broadband internet subscribers availing services through WiFi, Wi Max, Point to point, Radio, Vsat increased 81.67 per cent to 0.082 crore (8.2 lakh, 0.82 million) in Sep-18 from 0.045 crore (4.5 lakh, 0.45 million) in Aug-18.
    Please refer to the figure below:

    The top five broadband internet service providers constituted 97.86 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Sep-18. These service providers were Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd (Jio) – 25.225 crore (2,522.5 lakh, 252.25 million), Bharti Airtel or Airtel 9.929 crore (992.9 lakh, 99.29 million), Vodafone 5.182 crore (518.2 lakh, 51.82 million), Idea Cellular 4.79 crore (479 lakh, 47.90 million) and BSNL 2.012 crore (201.2 lakh, 20.12 million). 

    Wireless Internet

    As on 30 September 2018, the top five wireless broadband service providers were Jio 25.225 crore (2,522.5 lakh, 252.25 million), Airtel 9.705 crore (970.5 lakh, 97.05 million), Vodafone 5.181 crore (518.1 lakh, 51.81 million), Idea Cellular 4.789 crore (478.9 lakh, 47.89 million) and BSNL 1.079 crore (107.9 lakh, 10.97 million). Please refer to the figure below:

    The public sector BSNL continued to bleed subscribers in Sep-18. BSNL lost 0.022 crore (2.2 lakh, 0.22 million subscribers) in the month. BSNL’s wireless broadband internet subscriber base declined 2 per cent to 1.097 crore (109.7 lakh, 10.97 million) in Sep 18 from 1.119 crore (111.90 lakh, 11.19 million). BSNL’s wireless broadband internet subscriber base has declined to just half in Sep-18 from 2.195 crore (219.5 lakh, 21.95 million) as on 31 December 2017 (Dec-17) or 1 January 2018.

    Vodafone’s subscriber base grew by 0.056 crore (5.6 lakh, 0.56 million) in Sep-18 as compared to Aug-18, but has declined by 0.063 crore (6.3 lakh, 0.63 million) as compared to its base as on 1 January 2018. This was because of its merger with Idea cellular in August 2018. The Vodafone India and Idea Cellular combine had to forego about 140 lakh (14 million, 1.4 crore) subscribers in six circles and revenues of more than Rs 2,000 crore in three circles as the merged Vodafone and Idea Cellular entity would breach the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)-prescribed 50 per cent cap on subscribers and revenue in the respective states.

    Wireless Broadband Internet

    As on 30 September, 2018, the top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL (9.15 million), Airtel (2.24 million), Atria Convergence Technologies or ACT (1.36 million), MTNL (0.80 million) and Hathway Cable & Datacom (0.75 million). Three of the top 5 wired broadband internet services providers lost about 10,000 subscribers each, while the other two – Airtel and did not show any growth.

    Airtel added the highest number of wireline broadband subscribers in calendar year 2018 until Sep-18 with 90,000, followed by Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) which added 80,000 subs during the period.

    Notes: According to TRAI, Broadband internet means services with speeds equal to or higher than 512 kpbs.

    TRAI provides data in millions and to the second decimal place, hence the granularity of the data in this report is 10,000.