BSNL survived Jio impact, all private telecoms lost share in Q1

June 12, 2017

Reliance Jio’s launch of 4G network – offering free data and voice service — in September has made huge changes in the market share of top telecom operators in India.

The above chart prepared by TRAI indicates the India wireless market share of all telecom operators in March 2017.

BSNL was the only Indian telecom operator to survive the competition from Reliance Jio, which offered free data, voice and roaming services from September 2016 to March 31.

Bharti Airtel lost its wireless market share to 23.39 percent in March 2017 from 23.58 percent in December 2016, according to TRAI.

The market share of Vodafone India fell to 17.87 percent from 18.16 percent.

Idea Cellular’s share in the India wireless market dropped to 16.70 percent from 16.90 percent.

The above chart prepared by TRAI indicates the India wireless market share of all telecom operators in December 2016.

BSNL, the India-government owned telecom operator, increased share to 8.63 percent from 8.59 percent. BSNL increased its mobile share despite lack of presence in two key cities in Mumbai and Delhi. BSNL also does not have a strong 4G presence.

Aircel’s share dropped 7.77 percent from 8.06 percent.

The wireless share of Reliance Communications decreased to 7.14 percent from 7.68 percent.

Reliance Jio, which has all-India 4G presence, increased its wireless share to 9.29 percent from 6.4 percent during the first quarter of 2017 – indicating the boom during the promotional offer period. Reliance Jio is yet to officially announce its updated paid subscriber base.

TRAI said India has 1,170.18 million (+0.51 percent monthly growth) wireless subscribers on GSM, CDMA and LTE networks at the end of March 2017. The wireless subscription in Indian urban areas increased to 672.42 million (+0.12 percent) in March. Wireless subscription in rural areas increased to 497.76 million (+1.05 percent).

According to TRAI, wireless tele-density in India increased to 91.08 in March. The urban wireless tele-density declined to 166.71 in March from 166.77 in February. Rural wireless tele-density rose to 56.47 from 55.92. The share of urban wireless subscribers was 57.46 percent. Share of rural wireless subscribers was 42.54 percent.