The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its subscription data for November 2024, revealing mixed fortunes for India’s leading telecom operators. While Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) saw declines in their subscriber bases, Reliance Jio registered significant gains, reversing a four-month slump in user growth.

Bharti Airtel Ltd., India’s second-largest telecom operator, recorded a substantial drop of 11.4 lakh wireless subscribers in November, bringing its total user base to 38.4 crore. Vodafone Idea, battling financial challenges and competition, lost 15 lakh users during the same period, reducing its subscriber count to 20.8 crore, a PTI report said yesterday.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd., the telecom arm of Reliance Industries, added 12.1 lakh new wireless subscribers in November, bringing its total user base to a staggering 46.12 crore.

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), which had enjoyed steady subscriber growth in previous months, faced a setback in November, losing 3.4 lakh users. This decline brought its total wireless subscriber base down to 9.20 crore.

The telecom sector remains fiercely competitive, with operators navigating financial pressures, tariff adjustments, and changing consumer preferences. While Reliance Jio continues to dominate with its expansive user base, challenges persist for Vodafone Idea and BSNL in retaining subscribers amid growing market demands.