How were the latest subscription numbers of the major telecom companies; Bharti Airtel, Jio and Vodafone Idea?

Interestingly, the subscription numbers for Sep-20 appear to favour Bharti Airtel more thatn the others. On 04 December when Indian telecom announced September subscription numbers, it was a reiteration of an emerging trend. Vodafone Idea continued to lose subscribers to Bharti and Reliance Jio on a consistent basis.

Here are some of the highlights of the Sep-20 numbers as Bharti Airtel has clearly come out trumps in the process. Bharti Airtel added 38 lakh subscribers during Sep-20 while Jio added 15 lakh subscribers. However, Vodafone Idea lost a massive 46 lakh subscribers, hinting at subscriber shifting towards the two players and creating a real risk of duopoly.

In terms of total counts, as of end of Sep-20, Jio boasts of the highest 40.4 crore wireless subscribers while Airtel follows next with a total of 32.7 crore subscribers. Vodafone Idea continues to suffer with just 29.6 crore subscribers in its rolls and shrinking fast. With a huge AGR liability in its books, Vodafone Idea may be seriously running out of viable options.