The mobile services industry is seeing stiff competition between the incumbents and Reliance Jio for customers, but this does not seem to have translated into larger subscriber base, if the latest date released by Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) is anything to go by.

According to the data, the mobile subscribers base decreased by 6.41 million in August.

Bharti Airtel continued to hold the top position, with 29.63 per cent market share, closely followed by Vodafone India, which reported 208.14 million, while Idea Cellular ended August with 191.06 million subscribers.

The telecom service providers had a total of 948.54 million subscribers by the end of August. The numbers include those of Jio, which had shared numbers till July, COAI said on Tuesday.

The report, which also provides mobile subscriber numbers across individual circles, showed that UP (East) circle remained at the top with a total of 84.07 million subscribers, while Kerala reported the maximum subscriber additions, ending the month at 0.17 million subscribers. Airtel remains the market leader in 13 circles, followed by Vodafone in five and Idea in three, the data showed.

‘Urgent relief’

“Mobile connectivity and data services have played a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and moving India towards a truly equitable and democratic nation. The telecom industry, therefore, deserves urgent relief and an immediate intervention to encourage policy and regulatory stability, and facilitate growth, innovation and investment,” said Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI.

The industry remains committed towards working for a fully connected and digitally empowered India, he said, adding that the industry remains hopeful for some serious and sustainable relief from the inter ministerial group (IMG).

Related Topics