In October 2024, Bharti Airtel showed positive growth, reversing its previous months’ decline by adding 1.92 million new subscribers. This growth signals Airtel’s recovery from the impact of tariff hikes earlier this year, with its market positioning strengthening as a result. On the other hand, Reliance Jio experienced a loss of 3.76 million users, marking its fourth consecutive month of subscriber attrition. Despite an improvement compared to previous months, Jio’s cumulative loss over the past four months has reached 16.48 million users.
Airtel bounces back
In contrast, Bharti Airtel added 1.92 million users in October, reversing its three-month decline. This growth highlights the telco’s resilience and recovery after the impact of the tariff hikes. Airtel’s strategic focus on premium services and robust customer engagement has contributed to its resurgence, positioning it as a strong competitor in the market.
BSNL’s steady growth
State-owned BSNL continued to attract users, adding 0.51 million subscribers in October. BSNL’s unchanged tariffs and affordable entry-level plans have made it a preferred choice among budget-conscious customers. The company is also gearing up to launch its indigenous 4G network with a nationwide rollout of 1 lakh towers by mid-2025, signaling its ambitions to modernize and compete effectively.
The broader telecom market
The overall telecom market saw a net decline of 3.3 million mobile connections in October, a significant reduction from the 10.1 million decline in September. Mobile number portability requests also increased slightly, reflecting heightened competition among operators.
Challenges for Jio
Jio’s subscriber loss underscores the challenges of navigating a price-sensitive market post-tariff hikes. While its premium services and extensive network remain strong assets, the company may need to reassess its pricing strategy and customer retention efforts to regain momentum.
India’s digital growth story
Despite short-term fluctuations, the telecom sector remains a critical driver of India’s digital economy. With initiatives like BSNL’s 4G rollout and Airtel’s market recovery, the industry is poised to strengthen connectivity, support innovation, and drive inclusive growth across the nation.
