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Tag: wireless subscribers

  • TRAI telecom data: India’s rural surge, internet binge and DTH downfall ring loud in March

    TRAI telecom data: India’s rural surge, internet binge and DTH downfall ring loud in March

    MUMBAI: India’s telecom scene in March 2025 was a tale of two Indias—rural Bharat rising on data dreams and legacy players like BSNL and MTNL gasping for bars. According to TRAI’s fresh data, it was a month of gains for mobile and broadband, and growing static for DTH.

    The total number of wireless subscribers climbed slightly to 1,160.65 million, with rural India accounting for nearly 80 per cent of new additions. Villages added 1.1 million users, urban India added just 296,000—proof that the real action is beyond city limits.

    Reliance Jio was on fire, gaining 2.15 million wireless users and reinforcing its market leadership with 39.6 per cent share. Bharti Airtel added 1.03 million, keeping pace. Vodafone Idea lost nearly 700,000 subscribers, and BSNL continued its freefall with a 1.25 million loss.

    India’s broadband subscriber base touched 946.32 million, a monthly growth of 0.21 per cent. Unsurprisingly, 4G/5G mobile broadband accounted for 921.4 million of those connections—soaring on reels, reels, and more reels.

    On the wireline broadband front, Jio continued to hustle, adding over 320,000 subscribers, bringing its fixed-line share to 33.6 per cent. Airtel stayed solid with over 100,000 adds, while government dinosaurs BSNL and MTNL lost tens of thousands more. Between sluggish service and vanishing relevance, they’ve become the landline’s last rites.

    In the home entertainment arena, the direct-to-home (DTH) sector saw a slide. Total active DTH subscribers dropped to 64.17 million from 64.45 million—a fall of over 278,000 users in just one month.

    Cord-cutting is no longer a western trend; it’s happening across Indian homes as OTT apps and smart TVs eat into satellite’s share. Operators like Tata Play and Airtel Digital are still holding their ground, but the writing is on the (living room) wall.

    The big takeaway? Rural India is dialling up, streaming more, and finally enjoying digital parity. Jio’s aggressive expansion is paying off across both mobile and fibre, while BSNL’s steady subscriber bleed raises existential questions.

    DTH is beginning to look like the landline of television. The OTT wave is here, and it’s pulling viewers—and revenue—away from satellite.

    With spectrum auctions around the corner and AI-fuelled data demands skyrocketing, India’s telecom race is less about who picks up the call—and more about who controls the cloud.

  • Reliance Jio loses 9.3 million wireless subscribers in January: Trai

    Reliance Jio loses 9.3 million wireless subscribers in January: Trai

    Mumbai: Telecom major Reliance Jio lost 9.3 million wireless subscribers at the end of January, as per subscription data released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). 

    Bharti Airtel added 714,199 wireless subscribers during the same period. Vodafone Idea and BSNL lost 389,082 and 377,520 wireless subscribers, respectively at the end of January, the data revealed.

    The total wireless subscribers decreased from 1,154.62 million to 1,145.24 million at the end of January. The wireless subscription in urban areas decreased from 633.34 million to 627.12 million. Similarly, rural subscriptions also declined from 521.28 million to 518.13 million during the same period.

    According to Trai, there were 1006.57 million active wireless subscribers in the month of January out of which Reliance Jio had 368.53 million, Bharti Airtel had 349.99 million, Vodafone Idea had 228.81 million and BSNL had 58.64 million active subscribers.

    During the month, as per information received from 616 broadband operators, Trai reported a decrease in broadband subscribers from 792.08 million to 783.43 million. Out of these, 26.65 million were wired subscribers, 755.66 million were wireless subscribers and 1.12 million were fixed wireless subscribers i.e., Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Max, point-to-point radio, and VSAT.

    The top five broadband service providers constituted 98.46 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of January. These service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 411.23 million, Bharti Airtel at 210.75 million, Vodafone Idea at 121.08 million, BSNL at 26.25 million, and Atria Convergence at 2.04 million subscribers.

    The top five wired broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 4.83 million, Bharti Airtel at 4.33 million, BSNL at 3.90 million, Atria Convergence Technologies at 2.04 million, and Hathway Cable & Datacom at 1.10 million subscribers.

    The top five wireless broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 406.39 million, Bharti Airtel at 206.42 million, Vodafone Idea at 121.07 million, BSNL at 22.35 million, and Intech Online at 0.21 million subscribers.  

    The total number of telephone subscribers in India decreased from 1178.41 million to 1169.46 million. Urban telephone subscriptions decreased from 655.20 million to 649.38 million and rural subscriptions decreased from 523.21 million to 520.08 million.

    Wireline subscribers increased from 23.79 million to 24.21 million at the end of January.

  • Jio loses 12.9 mn wireless subs in Dec ‘21, Airtel gains 0.47 mn: Trai

    Jio loses 12.9 mn wireless subs in Dec ‘21, Airtel gains 0.47 mn: Trai

    Mumbai: Reliance Jio lost as many as 12.9 million wireless subscribers in December 2021, according to subscription data provided by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Vodafone Idea also lost 1.6 million subscribers.

    However, Bharti Airtel emerged as a clear winner in December, as it went on to add 0.47 million subscribers during the same period, along with BSNL, which also saw wireless subscriber additions of 1.16 million.

    The total number of wireless subscribers decreased from 1167.50 million to 1154.62 million. Wireless subscriptions in urban areas decreased from 638.46 million to 633.34 million while in rural areas it also decreased from 529.04 million to 521.28 million.

    As per Trai data, Reliance Jio had 364.34 million active wireless subscribers followed by Bharti Airtel at 348.69 million and Vodafone Idea with 229.45.  

    In December, Trai received information from 616 broadband operators compared to 592 operators in the previous month. The total broadband subscribers decreased from 801.60 million to 792.08 million.

    In the broadband segment, wired subscribers increased from 24.42 million to 26.43 million, mobile device users decreased from 775.93 million to 764.52 million and fixed wireless subscribers decreased from 1.26 million to 1.13 million. The top five broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm at 420.28 million followed by Bharti Airtel at 210.07 million, Vodafone Idea at 122.62 million, BSNL at 25.54 million and Atria Convergence at 2.01 million.

    The top five wired broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm at 4.57 million, Bharti Airtel at 4.20 million, BSNL at 4.07 million, Atria Convergence at 2.01 million and Hathway Cable and Datacom at 1.08 million. The top five wireless broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm at 415.72 million, Bharti Airtel at 205.87 million, Vodafone Idea at 122.14 million, BSNL at 21.47 million and Intech Online at 0.20 million.

    The number of telephone subscribers decreased from 1191.05 million to 1178.41 million. Urban telephone subscription decreased from 660.08 million to 655.20 million and rural subscription also decreased from 530.96 million to 523.21 million during the same period.

    During the period, wireline subscribers increased from 23.55 million to 23.79 million.

  • Vodafone loses 1.89 mn subs in Nov; Jio, Airtel post strong gains: Trai

    Vodafone loses 1.89 mn subs in Nov; Jio, Airtel post strong gains: Trai

    Mumbai: Reliance Jio added 2.01 million and Bharti Airtel added 1.31 million wireless subscribers in November 2021 according to subscription data by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Vodafone Idea lost 1.89 million subscribers during the same period, the data revealed.

    The total number of wireless subscribers increased from 1166.30 million to 1167.50 million with a net addition of 1.19 million subscribers. Wireless subscription in urban areas increased from 637.44 million to 638.46 million and in rural areas it increased from 528.86 million to 529.04 million.

    Trai reported 996.38 million active wireless subscribers out of which Reliance Jio had 359.59 million followed by Bharti Airtel at 347.89, Vodafone Idea at 231.59 million and BSNL at 56.71 million.

    In November, Trai received information from 592 operators as compared to 577 operators last month, the total broadband subscribers increased from 798.95 million to 801.60 million. This comprised mobile device users at 775.93 million, wired subscribers at 24.42 million and fixed wireless subscribers at 1.26 million.

    The top five wireless broadband service providers were Reliance Jio at 428.62 million, Bharti Airtel at 206.02 million, Vodafone Idea at 122.39 million, BSNL at 19.41 million and Tikona Infinet at 0.30 million subscribers.

    The top five wired broadband service providers were Reliance Jio at 4.34 million, BSNL at 4.20 million, Bharti Airtel at 4.08 million, Atria Convergence Technologies at 1.98 million and Hathway Cable and Datacom at 1.07 million subscribers.

    The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1189.62 million to 1191.05 million. Urban subscription increased from 658.83 million to 660.08 million and rural subscription increased from 530.79 million to 530.96 million. The number of wireline subscribers increased from 23.32 million to 23.55 million at the end of November.

  • Reliance Jio adds 1.76 million wireless subscribers in Oct

    Reliance Jio adds 1.76 million wireless subscribers in Oct

    Mumbai: Telecom giant Reliance Jio has added 1.76 million net wireless subscribers in October, according to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) subscription data. Vodafone Idea lost 0.96 million subscribers followed by Bharti Airtel at 0.48 million, the data revealed.

    The total number of wireless subscribers increased from 1166.02 million to 1166.30 million. In urban areas, wireless penetration decreased from 637.89 million to 637.44 million. Wireless subscriptions in rural areas increased from 528.13 million to 528.86 million.

    Trai reported 996.47 million active wireless subscribers out of which Reliance Jio had the highest share with 358.49 million followed by Bharti Airtel at 346.11 million, Vodafone Idea at 234.33 million and BSNL at 56.93 million.

    The number of telephone subscribers increased from 1189.15 million to 1189.62 million. Urban subscription decreased from 659.09 million to 658.83 million whereas rural subscription increased from 530.06 million to 530.79 million.

    In October, Trai received information from 577 broadband operators viz-a-viz 522 in the previous month. It reported that total broadband subscribers increased from 794.88 million to 798.95 million. The number of mobile device users increased from 769.22 million to 773.09 million. Wired subscribers increased from 24.39 million to 24.55 million and fixed wireless subscribers increased from 1.28 million to 1.31 million.

    At the end of October, the top five broadband service providers stood as follows Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 430.75 million subscribers, Bharti Airtel at 208.71 million subscribers, Vodafone Idea at 122.47 million subscribers, BSNL at 24.57 million subscribers and Atria Convergence at 1.97 million subscribers.

    The top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL at 4.72 million subscribers, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 4.16 million subscribers, Bharti Airtel at 3.98 million subscribers, Atria Convergence Technologies at 1.97 million subscribers and Hathway Cable & Datacom at 1.07 million subscribers.

    The top five wireless broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 426.60 million subscribers, Bharti Airtel at 204.73 million subscribers, Vodafone Idea at 122.47 million subscribers, BSNL at 19.85 million subscribers and Tikona Infinet Ltd. at 0.30 million subscribers.

    The number of wireline subscribers increased from 23.13 million to 23.32 million with a net increase of 0.19 million. BSNL and MTNL held 45.07 per cent of the wireline market share.

  • Reliance Jio lost 19 million wireless subscribers in September: Trai

    Reliance Jio lost 19 million wireless subscribers in September: Trai

    Mumbai: Reliance Jio lost 19.02 million wireless subscribers in the month of September, according to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) subscription data. Bharti Airtel added 0.27 million subscribers and Vodafone Idea lost 1.07 million subscribers in the same period.

    Total wireless subscribers decreased from 1186.72 million to 1166.02 million. Wireless subscription from urban areas decreased from 650.39 million to 637.89 million. In rural areas, wireless subscription decreased from 536.33 million to 538.13 million.

    In terms of active base, there were 995.67 million wireless subscribers with Reliance Jio having the largest base of active users at 355.37 million followed by Bharti Airtel at 346.88 million and Vodafone Idea at 235.73 million.

    The number of telephone subscribers decreased from 1209.58 million to 1189.15 million. Urban telephone subscription decreased from 671.31 million to 659.09 million. Rural subscription decreased from 538.28 million to 530.06 million.

    Trai received information from 522 operators in September compared to 499 operators last month. The total number of broadband subscribers decreased from 813.47 million to 794.88 million. Mobile device users decreased from 787.94 million to 769.22 million. Wired subscribers increased marginally from 24.29 million to 24.39 million. Fixed wireless subscribers increased from 1.24 million to 1.28 million.

    The top five service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm (428.78 million), Bharti Airtel (207.30 million), Vodafone Idea (122.37 million), BSNL (24.15 million), and Atria Convergence (1.96 million).

    The top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL (5.05 million), Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (3.94 million), Bharti Airtel (3.85 million), Atria Convergence Technologies (1.96 million), and Hathway Cable & Datacom (1.08 million).

    The top five wireless broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (424.84 million), Bharti Airtel (203.45 million), Vodafone Idea (122.36 million), BSNL (19.10 million), and Tikona Infinet Ltd. (0.30 million).

    The total wireline subscribers increased from 22.86 million to 23.13 million and saw a net increase of 0.27 million. Reliance Jio added 237,411 subscribers followed by Bharti Airtel at 126,937 and Vodafone Idea at 3100.

  • Vodafone Idea lost 0.83 million wireless subscribers in Aug: Trai

    Vodafone Idea lost 0.83 million wireless subscribers in Aug: Trai

    Mumbai: Vodafone Idea lost 0.83 million wireless subscribers in August, according to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) subscription data. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have added 0.64 million and 0.13 million wireless subscribers, respectively.

    Total wireless subscribers decreased from 1,186.84 million to 1,186.72 million seeing a net subscriber decline of 1.1 million. Wireless subscriptions in urban areas increased from 650.10 million to 650.39 million, however, wireless subscriptions in rural areas decreased from 536.74 million to 536.33 million, revealed the data.

    Out of 1,186.72 million wireless subscribers, 991.71 million were active. Reliance Jio reported 350.63 million active wireless subscribers, Bharti Airtel stood at 346.84 million, and Vodafone Idea at 236.49 million.

    The number of telephone subscribers increased from 1,209.45 million to 1,209.58 million. Urban telephone subscriptions increased from 670.75 million to 671.31 million, however, the rural subscription decreased from 538.70 million to 538.28 million.

    Trai received information from 499 operators in August versus 455 operators in July and reported that the total broadband subscribers increased from 808.60 million to 813.47 million. Mobile device users grew from 783.39 million to 787.94 million, wired subscribers grew marginally from 24.01 million to 24.09 million and fixed wireless subscribers grew marginally from 1.19 million to 1.24 million.

    The top five service providers constituted 98.75 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers. These were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (447.57 million), Bharti Airtel (205.96 million), Vodafone Idea (123.53 million), BSNL (24.28 million), and Atria Convergence (1.95 million).

    The top five wireless broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (443.86 million), Bharti Airtel (202.27 million), Vodafone Idea (123.52 million), BSNL (18.19 million), and Tikona Infinet Ltd (0.30 million).

    The top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL (5.49 million), Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (3.71 million), Bharti Airtel (3.69 million), Atria Convergence Technologies (1.95 million), and Hathway Cable & Datacom (1.08 million).

    The total wireline subscribers increased from 22.61 million to 22.86 million, a net subscriber increase of 0.25 million. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel led the growth by adding 0.25 million and 0.10 million subscribers, respectively. Vodafone Idea added 7870 subscribers whereas BSNL, MTNL, Tata Telecommunications, Reliance Communications, and Quadrant lost subscribers.  

  • Broadband subscribers breach 100 million mark in April

    Broadband subscribers breach 100 million mark in April

    NEW DELHI: Even as the Government is making efforts to reach the north east and to create awareness of Digital India, the number of broadband subscribers for the first time crossed the 100 million mark to register a base of 100.76 million at the end of April.

     

    This was a slight increase of 1.57 per cent over the figure of March, which had shown 99.20 million subscribers.

     

    This was primarily due to mobile devices users (phones and dongles), which grew from 93.24 million to 84.79 million, thus showing a growth of 1.86 per cent. Fixed wireless subscribers (Wi-fi, Wi-Max, Point to Point Radio and VSAT) showed a meager growth of 0.35 per cent and stood at just over 440, 000 while wired subscribers showed an even lesser growth of 0.04 per cent at just around 15.52 million.

     

    The top five service providers constituted 83.40 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of April.

     

    These service providers were Bharti Airtel (22.63 million), Vodafone (20.30 million), BSNL (18.02 million), Idea Cellular Ltd (15.01 million) and Reliance Communications Group (8.08 million).

     

    Some wireless service providers exclude incidental data users from their subscriber base based on minimum usage decided by them.

     

    As on 30 April, 2015, the top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL (9.92 million), Bharti Airtel (1.44 million), MTNL (1.14 million), Atria Convergence Technologies (0.68 million) and You Broadband (0.45 million).

     

    As on 30 April, the top five wireless broadband service providers were Bharti Airtel (21.19 million), Vodafone (20.29 million), Idea Cellular (15.01 million), BSNL (8.10 million) and Reliance Communications Group (7.97 million).