India’s telecom scene saw a shake-up in February, with Reliance Jio leading the charge in new subscribers while Vodafone Idea managed to slow down its losses significantly, according to the latest data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Jio and Airtel Continue to Add Users
Reliance Jio topped the chart with 1.76 million new wireless subscribers in February, bouncing back from January’s 0.68 million additions. Bharti Airtel followed closely, adding 1.59 million users, a slight dip from the 1.65 million it gained in January.
These numbers reinforce the steady growth of both Jio and Airtel as they continue expanding their 4G and 5G networks across India.
Vodafone Idea’s Losses Shrink, BSNL Struggles
The real surprise? Vodafone Idea (Vi) lost just 20,720 users in February—a huge improvement from the 1.33 million users it lost in January. While it’s still losing customers, the pace is finally slowing, offering a bit of breathing room for the struggling telco.
On the other hand, BSNL had a tougher month. The state-run operator lost 560,000 users, a jump from the 150,000 it shed in January. BSNL’s previous gains—thanks to unchanged tariffs and entry-level plans—seem to be reversing as it prepares to launch its much-delayed indigenous 4G rollout, aiming to install 1 lakh towers by June.
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Market Share Update: Jio and Airtel Rise
Jio and Airtel continue to inch ahead in terms of market share. In February:
- Jio: 40.52%
- Airtel: 33.67%
- Vi: 17.84%
- BSNL: 7.89%
As Jio and Airtel gain ground, BSNL’s share continues to slip—a trend that may continue unless its 4G rollout picks up serious steam.
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Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Sees a Boost
Another space heating up? 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). India now has 6.27 million FWA subscribers as of January-end—a 9.7% jump from December.
Reliance Jio dominates this segment too, with 5.23 million FWA users, making up over 83.5% of the total base. Airtel holds the remaining share.
FWA is gaining popularity for delivering high-speed internet without the hassle of cables, using dedicated routers and antennas that connect to mobile towers instead.
Mobile Number Portability Slows, Wireline Connections Grow
In February, 12.06 million people requested mobile number portability (MNP), a drop from 14.14 million in January and 13.85 million in December. That’s a sign that users may be getting a bit more settled with their current networks.
On the wireline side, there’s solid growth. India added 1.88 million new wireline subscribers, a 5.36% increase, pushing the total to 36.91 million.
Bottom Line
Jio and Airtel are clearly leading the telecom race, both in user additions and in shaping the future with services like 5G FWA. Vodafone Idea is hanging in there, while BSNL faces an uphill battle.
With more users demanding faster internet and reliable service, the coming months will be key—especially as BSNL rolls out its homegrown 4G and Jio-Airtel continue their 5G expansions.
