TRAI July Data: BSNL Adds Over 2.9 Million Subscribers; Jio, Airtel, and Vi Lose Millions

In a surprising turn of events, BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) has managed to outshine its competitors in July by adding a remarkable 2.93 million new subscribers, according to the latest data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). This surge in subscribers comes at a time when major players like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) have lost millions of subscribers.

Key Highlights:

BSNL’s Growth: BSNL added 2.93 million new subscribers in July 2024, reversing the trend of losing out to bigger private players.

Subscriber Losses: Reliance Jio lost 7.58 lakh (758,000) subscribers, Airtel saw a decrease of 16.9 lakh (1.69 million) subscribers, and Vi’s subscriber base shrank by 14.1 lakh (1.41 million).

Mobile Number Portability: In July alone, 13.6 million subscribers applied for mobile number portability, with many shifting away from private telecom providers.

BSNL’s 4G Rollout Boosts Subscriber Base

BSNL’s ability to attract millions of new subscribers can be attributed to the launch of its 4G services. In July, the state-run telecom operator introduced new 4G recharge plans, ranging from ₹118 to ₹2,399, which gained significant traction among consumers. The anticipation surrounding BSNL’s 4G rollout helped the company draw customers from other networks, particularly as private telecom providers raised their tariffs.

Why Jio, Airtel, and Vi Lost Subscribers

The losses for Jio, Airtel, and Vi can largely be attributed to the tariff hikes implemented in July. Reliance Jio increased its base plan price from ₹155 to ₹189, along with hikes in 17 prepaid and two postpaid plans. Similarly, Airtel raised tariffs for its unlimited voice, data, and postpaid plans by 10-20%, which came into effect on July 3. Vi also followed suit with tariff hikes of 10-21%, implemented on July 4.

Broadband Subscribers on the Rise

In addition to mobile subscribers, broadband usage in India continued its steady growth. According to TRAI, the total number of broadband subscribers increased to 946.1 million by the end of July, up from 940.7 million at the end of June, representing a monthly growth rate of 0.58%.

Conclusion

BSNL’s aggressive push into the 4G space and competitive pricing have helped it gain substantial ground in a market traditionally dominated by private telecom giants. Meanwhile, tariff hikes by Jio, Airtel, and Vi have led to subscriber losses for these companies. With more consumers opting for affordable 4G services, it remains to be seen how the telecom landscape will evolve in the coming months.