Indian Telecom Subscriber Trends: Jio Leads, Vi’s Decline Slows

Subscribers’ Growth in August 2023

Indian telecom giants Reliance Jio and Airtel continued their growth trajectory in August 2023, adding new subscribers to their networks. On the flip side, Vi experienced a slowdown in subscriber decline.

Jio’s Impressive Subscriber Gain

Reliance Jio, under the leadership of Mukesh Ambani, marked a significant achievement by gaining 3.25 million subscribers in August 2023. This surge solidified Jio’s position as the industry leader in terms of subscriber base growth. In contrast, Airtel added 1.22 million subscribers during the same period.

Industry-Wide Net Additions and Total Subscriber Base

Despite a slightly lower net addition compared to the previous month, the telecom industry saw a total increase of 2.19 million subscribers in August 2023, bringing the overall subscriber base to 1,148.43 million. Jio’s continuous growth played a pivotal role in driving these industry-wide additions.

Jio’s Dominance Continues

With the latest surge, Reliance Jio’s total subscriber base reached 444.73 million users, maintaining its stronghold as the telecom industry leader. Airtel also contributed to the industry’s growth, adding to its subscriber base and inching closer to the 400 million mark.

Vi’s Performance and Active Subscriber Base Decline

Vi, although experiencing a slight decline with 49,782 lost users, showcased a slowdown in its subscriber loss compared to previous months. This trend could signal a potential stabilization for Vi amidst intense competition in the telecom sector.

Active Subscriber Base Dynamics

While the overall subscriber base increased, the active subscriber base witnessed a decline of 3 million users, marking a notable shift. Jio managed to maintain a positive trend with a gain of 1.2 million active subscribers, whereas Airtel and Vi faced declines in their active user base.

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Surge

The heightened competition among telecom players led to a surge in Mobile Number Portability (MNP) requests, reaching a 29-month high. This trend reflects user preferences shifting towards networks offering advanced services like 5G and enhanced rural connectivity.

Outlook and Market Dynamics

Industry analysts anticipate sustained competition and further MNP activities, especially with Vi users exploring alternatives like Airtel and Jio for enhanced 5G experiences. Additionally, Airtel’s rural market strategies and the impending 5G rollout are expected to fuel continued market dynamics and subscriber shifts in the coming months.