Reliance Jio Subscriber Loss: The tables have turned in the telecom world! Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, Sunil Mittal’s Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea (Vi) are facing tough times, losing millions of subscribers after their tariff hikes. Meanwhile, state-run BSNL is stealing the spotlight.
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Jio’s Subscriber Slip
Jio, India’s largest telecom provider, saw its subscriber base shrink from 47.17 crore in August to 46.37 crore in September—a whopping loss of 79 lakh users! This marks the third straight month of losses for Jio, thanks to rising tariffs pushing users away.
Read more: JioCinema Records 293 User Grievances in August, Resolve a Mere 3 of These Issues
Airtel & Vi Aren’t Safe Either
Airtel and Vi didn’t escape the hit either. Bharti Airtel lost 14 lakh users in September, bringing its subscriber count to 38.34 crore. Vi, already struggling, dropped another 15 lakh users, taking its base down to 21.24 crore.
BSNL: The Underdog Rising
While the big guns stumbled, BSNL is having its moment! The state-run telecom added 8.49 lakh subscribers in September, hitting 9.18 crore users. Over the past two months, BSNL’s subscriber base grew by an impressive 65 lakh. With affordable pricing and no sudden hikes, it’s giving Jio and Airtel a real run for their money.
Tariff hikes by Jio, Airtel, and Vi (10–21% increases in June) have clearly backfired, driving millions of customers toward BSNL. Looks like being “too big to fail” isn’t the case here anymore.
So, what’s your pick? Are you sticking with Jio or Airtel, or is BSNL your new favorite?
FAQs
Q1. Why are Jio, Airtel, and Vi losing subscribers?
The major reason is the tariff hikes they introduced in June. With plans becoming 10-21% more expensive, many users decided to switch to more affordable alternatives like BSNL.
Q2. How is BSNL gaining subscribers?
BSNL’s competitive pricing and no major tariff hikes have made it a popular choice among users. Plus, the government-owned network is working on improving its infrastructure, making it a viable alternative.
Q3. Will BSNL continue to gain subscribers?
If BSNL maintains its competitive pricing and improves its network coverage, it has a good chance of growing its market share further.
Q4. Is it a long-term trend for Jio, Airtel, and Vi?
The decline might stabilize if they introduce attractive offers or improve services, but losing subscribers to price hikes shows the market’s sensitivity to affordability.
Q5. Are there any chances of Jio, Airtel, and Vi reducing tariffs?
It’s possible but unlikely in the short term, as these hikes were meant to boost revenue. They might focus on offering better bundles instead.
