The next few pages analyse market share and growth trends in the Indian wireless market during the April-July 2006 period. Please note that we have included WLL-FWT in “wireless”, partly because Reliance provides only combined figures (digital mobile and WLL-FWT).

  • In the April-July 2006 period, Bharti and Tata Teleservices gained share in the total wireless market while Reliance and BSNL lost some ground. There was little change in the shares of Hutch and Idea.
  • Bharti is now the market leader even after taking into account CDMA operators’ WLL (FWT) figures. Its share of the market has risen from 20.41 per cent at the end of March to 21.25 per cent at the end of July.
  • Reliance has lost the “top” position. Its share has declined from 21.05 per cent to 20.6 per cent over the same period.
  • BSNL remains in the third place even though its market share has declined from 17.87 per cent to 16.6 per cent.
  • Hutch remains at the fourth position with its share still hovering around 16 per cent.
  • Tata Teleservices has increased its market share from 8.81 per cent to 9.52 per cent, though it is still a distant fifth.
  • Not too far behind is Idea, which has increased its share by just a bit, from 7.67 per cent to 7.96 per cent.

Bharti Airtel

  • During this period, Bharti Airtel maintained or increased its market share in most circles.
  • It increased its market share by 4 full points or higher in Assam and the Northeast, by 3 to 4 points in Karnataka and Bihar, and by 2 to 3 points in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
  • The only circles in which it lost more than 2 share points were Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Hutchison Essar

  • Hutch maintained its market share in most circles. For the most part, its gains and losses were less significant and also offset each other.
  • It gained significant ground in Uttar Pradesh (West) (2.5 share points). It also gained 1 share point or more in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chennai and Kerala.
  • Hutch did lose 1 share point or more in Delhi, Kolkata and Haryana.

Reliance Communications

  • Reliance’s gains were limited to just a couple of circles. It lost ground in the majority of them.
  • Reliance gained ground, with an increase of 1 share point or more, in West Bengal and Himahal Pradesh.
  • It lost 3-4 share points in Assam, the Northeast and Madhya Pradesh. It also lost 1 share point or more in Delhi, Chennai, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (East), Rajasthan and Bihar.

Tata Teleservices

  • Tata Teleservices managed to increase its share in almost half the circles, without losing significant ground anywhere.
  • Tata Teleservices had gains of 2 share points or more in Delhi, Kolkata, Haryana, Rajasthan and Bihar. It also gained 1-2 share points in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (West), Uttar Pradesh (East), West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa.
  • It did not lose more than 1 share point in any circle.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

  • BSNL’s market share declined in 12 out of 19 circles in which it operates.
  • It lost 5 full share points or more in Orissa, Assam and the Northeast. It lost 2 to 4 share points in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (West), West Bengal, Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir.
  • It did not make significant gain ?? that is, of 1 share point or more ?? in any state.

Idea Cellular

  • Idea held its market share in most of its operational circles. It did gain 1 share point or more in Kerala and Haryana.
  • It did not have significant losses in any circle.

Other players

  • Aircel managed significant gains in West Bengal, Orissa, Assam and the Northeast.
  • MTNL managed to gain share in both Delhi and Mumbai.
  • Spice lost some ground in Punjab.
  • BPL lost market share in its only operational circle, Mumbai.
  • Shyam and HFCL almost maintained their shares in Rajasthan and Punjab respectively.