May 24, 2023
The overall mobile user base in India reached 1.14 billion by the end of March, marking a monthly increase of 1.96 million
Jio recorded its highest 4G subscriber addition in the last six months
The wireless broadband subscriber base, which predominantly comprises 4G subscribers, reached nearly 812 million by the end of March
In rural areas, the overall mobile subscriber base increased by 0.79 million to reach 516.38 million
Indian telecom operators added 6.2 million new 4G subscriptions in March 2023, according to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). This has been the highest in the last 20 months.
This surge in 4G subscribers can be attributed to the shift from 2G users and the influx of new mobile subscribers, which reached a 10-month high, as noted by analysts.
The overall mobile user base in India reached 1.14 billion by the end of March, marking a monthly increase of 1.96 million. Analysts interpret this rise in subscriber base as a sign that the impact of tariff hikes and SIM card consolidation, caused by inflationary pressures, has diminished. Consequently, telecom companies can prepare for the next phase of tariff hikes.
According to data, Jio recorded its highest 4G subscriber addition in the last six months, with 3.05 million new subscribers. Airtel followed closely with 2.04 million new 4G subscribers, while Vodafone Idea bounced back from a sharp decline in February by adding 1.08 million 4G subscribers. The wireless broadband subscriber base, which predominantly comprises 4G subscribers, reached nearly 812 million by the end of March. Out of the total 6.6 million wireless broadband subscriber additions, approximately 0.4 million were contributed by BSNL’s 3G users.
In March, the number of subscribers requesting Mobile Number Portability (MNP) reached 11.70 million, resulting in a total of 819.70 million MNP requests by the end of that month. This marked an increase compared to the previous month’s total of 808 million requests, since the implementation of MNP.
Except for Punjab, Kolkata, UP (West), Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Mumbai, all other service areas exhibited growth in their wireless subscribers, as indicated by TRAI data. In rural areas, the overall mobile subscriber base increased by 0.79 million to reach 516.38 million, while the urban subscriber base grew by 1.18 million, reaching 627.54 million.
Source: Financial Express