As per the telecom subscription data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India’s total subscribers increased from 1,167.71 million at the end of February 2021 to 1,180.96 million at the end of March 2021, registering a monthly growth rate of 1.13 per cent.
Further, subscription in urban areas increased from 639.24 million at the end of February 2021 to 645.20 million during the period under consideration. The rural subscription increased from 528.47 million to 535.75 million.
The overall tele-density in India increased from 85.78 at the end of February 2021 to 86.68 at the end of March 2021. The urban tele-density increased from 136.03 at the end of February 2021 to 137.08 at the end of March 2021. Rural tele-density also increased from 59.28 to 60.08 during the same period.
Moreover, the number of broadband subscribers increased from 765.09 million at the end of February 2021 to 778.09 million at the end of March 2021, witnessing a monthly growth rate of 1.70 per cent.
Among operators, Reliance Jio registered the maximum increase in wireless subscriber base during March 2021 and added 7,918,129 subscribers, taking its total subscriber base to 422.91 million. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel gained 4,055,109 subscribers, and its subscriber base stood at 352.39 million, while Vodafone Idea added 1,088,792 subscribers, taking its total subscriber base to 283.71 million. Meanwhile, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) added 193,359 subscribers, taking its total subscriber base to 118.52 million.
Consequently, Reliance Jio’s market share by subscribers reached to 35.81 per cent, followed by Bharti Airtel at 29.84 per cent, and Vodafone Idea at 24.02 per cent, as of March 31, 2021.
