The biggest telecom provider in India by market share, Jio Infocomm Ltd., has no imminent plans to raise mobile phone rates, defying market predictions. Instead, it wants to increase revenue by encouraging users to use more data. Contrary to market predictions, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, the largest telecom provider in India by market share, has no imminent plans to raise mobile phone rates. Instead, it intends to enhance income by encouraging users to use more data.
In order to boost their average revenue per user (or ARPU, a crucial performance indicator for telecom operators), Jio and its closest rival, Bharti Airtel Ltd., recently scrapped their entry-level plans. The decision raised expectations that the telecom operators would raise tariffs by the end of the year or the beginning of 2026.
Jio’s Monthly ARPU Rose to 1.2%
Jio claims that its monthly average income per subscriber increased 1.2% to INR 211.4 in the September quarter from INR 208.8 at the end of June, with growth slowing as a result of promotional 5G deals. Analysts had predicted that Jio would increase tariffs and concentrate on premium services after removing its entry-level pack in order to catch up to Bharti Airtel, which leads the sector in ARPU (INR 250 at the end of June).
Airtel has not yet released its earnings for the September quarter. In an earnings call with investors, Reliance Jio Infocomm’s head of strategy, Anshuman Thakur, said the company is encouraging customers to spend more and be happy to pay more, but it has no imminent plans to raise tariffs.
Jio Added 8.3 Million Subscribers in September
Jio Net now has 506.4 million mobile subscribers after adding 8.3 million during the September quarter. Jio had 234 million 5G users at the end of September, compared to 213 million during the previous quarter in June. Fifty percent of Jio’s wireless traffic now comes from 5G.
After more than two years, telecom companies finally hiked tariffs in July 2024, with Reliance Jio leading the way with a 12–25% pricing increase. However, Jio has not publicly discussed raising rates, despite Airtel and Vodafone Idea Ltd. being outspoken about the necessity of doing so in order to boost the return on capital employed (RoCE), a metric used to assess profitability and efficiency.
Earlier this month, Gopal Vittal, the managing director and vice chairman of Bharti Airtel, stated at an industry gathering that the company is using the lowest ARPUs and the lowest charge per gigabyte. But it must turn a profit. Actually, Vittal has previously demanded that the telecom price structure be changed in order to charge for more data and reduce the data allotment on certain telecom packs.
Quick Shots
•Reliance
Jio Infocomm Ltd. has no immediate plans to raise mobile phone tariffs
despite market expectations.
•The
company aims to boost revenue by encouraging higher data consumption among
users.
•ARPU
growth slowed due to promotional 5G offers.
•Jio’s
5G users reached 234 million, accounting for 50% of total wireless traffic.
It looks like Bharti Airtel is adding more bundled digital services for its Indian consumers. According to reports, the telecom operator has extended its collaboration with Apple, which was previously restricted to postpaid and broadband consumers, by providing free access to Apple Music for its prepaid customers.
The action was taken only a few weeks after Airtel gained notoriety for giving its customers free access to the premium artificial intelligence application Perplexity AI Pro. Telecom Talk was the first to notice that some Airtel prepaid users have started to see the Apple Music offer within the Airtel Thanks app. Users can take advantage of the streaming service for free for a maximum of six months, according to the banner.
How Long Will Airtel’s Free Apple Music Subscription Last?
The subscription will automatically renew at INR 119 per month after the free period expires. Details regarding the eligibility requirements are still unknown, as Airtel has not yet made a formal announcement. To find out if the perk is accessible for their account, consumers can log into the Airtel Thanks app. It’s interesting to note that the offer was observed even on a 5G plan that wasn’t limitless, indicating that it could not be limited to certain expensive recharges.
Airtel’s Digital Bundles: From Perplexity AI Pro to OTT Packs
This new addition is a component of Airtel’s comprehensive content aggregation strategy. In order to offer top-notch entertainment and productivity tools under its recharge packs, the company has been aggressively collaborating with both Indian and international platforms. Airtel established an association with Apple last year to provide its customers subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music. This was first made available to postpaid and broadband users in February 2025, but it now appears that the massive prepaid base is also benefiting.
Apple Music, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and More in Airtel Plans
Airtel also just unveiled new recharge options that provide customers access to more than 25 OTT platforms together with broadband and unlimited calls. Among them are well-known brands including Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, SonyLIV, Lionsgate Play, Hoichoi, SunNxt, and Aha.
According to Airtel, the packs would serve a variety of audiences nationwide by providing entertainment in over 16 languages. For instance, the INR 279 prepaid plan gives subscriptions to Netflix Basic, Zee5, Disney+ Hotstar, and Airtel Xstream Play Premium and has a one-month validity period. Airtel emphasised that the OTT subscriptions included in this plan are valued at around INR 750. The same pack is also offered as a “content-only” recharge, which comes with 1GB of data per month and all the same OTT perks.
For heavy users, Airtel offers a plan for INR 598 that includes 28-day valid OTT subscriptions, unlimited 5G data, and unlimited calling. The most expensive recharge plan, INR1,729, provides 84 days of unlimited 5G internet and voice calls along with the same selection of streaming services.
Quick
Shots
•Airtel now offering free Apple Music
subscription to prepaid users (earlier limited to postpaid & broadband).
•Free for up to 6 months; auto-renews
at INR 119/month after trial.
•Seen in Airtel Thanks app;
eligibility unclear, but appears across plans including non-unlimited 5G
packs.
•Move comes weeks after Airtel offered
free Perplexity AI Pro access to users.
According to Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service will store its network data, traffic, and other information locally in India.
“Security conditions, among other things, include the establishment of earth station gateway(s) in India for providing satellite-based communication services with no user traffic originating from or destined for India being routed through any gateway located outside India, no copying and decryption of the Indian data outside the country, and the Indian user traffic is not to be mirrored to any system/server located abroad,” the minister wrote in a response to the Rajya Sabha.
Starlink Gets GMPCS Approval for Broadband Services
Following Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio-SES JV, US-based Starlink is the third satcom operator to obtain all necessary approvals to provide commercial broadband from space services in India. In June, Starlink was granted permission to use Global Mobile Personal Communication via Satellite (GMPCS).
Starlink’s LEO Satellite Constellation and Capacity in India
Starlink’s Gen 1 constellation has been approved by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to offer satellite communication services within the country. The first generation is Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) network, which consists of 4408 satellites and has a 600 Gbps throughput capacity in India.
Satcom Sector to Drive Employment Growth in India
According to Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, the satcom industry is anticipated to provide jobs because it is a developing field. In his response, the minister stated that satellite-based communication services are a developing field that, like any new business venture, is anticipated to create jobs in the nation.
This is because the services include, among other things, the installation, operation, and maintenance of the telecom network, which includes user terminal equipment.
Starlink’s Role in Bridging India’s Digital Divide
Through a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, SpaceX’s worldwide satellite internet project Starlink aims to provide consumers with direct access to high-speed broadband. By delivering fast and dependable broadband to remote areas like villages and hilly terrain, Starlink’s venture has the potential to transform internet accessibility in India, where the digital divide is still a significant barrier.
Sekhar had stated that Starlink would provide rates of up to 200 Mbps throughout the nation, according to news agency PTI. “Starlink can only serve 20 lakh customers in India while providing speeds of up to 200 Mbps.” Telecommunications services won’t be impacted. It is anticipated that the regulations governing the distribution of spectrum for satellite communications (satcom) services will shortly be finalised.
TRAI’s Recommendation on Satcom Spectrum Allocation
According to the PTI report, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has advised administrative distribution of satcom spectrum instead of holding an auction. Furthermore, the regulator has suggested a five-year spectrum allocation period that might be extended by an extra two years depending on the state of the market.
Telecommunication companies are entities that facilitate communication and connectivity without the need for physical interaction. Whether it’s making phone calls, accessing the internet, or exchanging written messages via emails and SMS, the telecom sector offers comprehensive solutions at our fingertips.
Through the use of cables, wires, waves, and wireless technology, telecommunication has enabled global communication. The companies operating in this sector encompass Internet Service Providers, wired and wireless telephone operators, cable companies, and satellite providers.
In the late 1990s, the telecom sector was predominantly controlled by major national operators. However, starting from the end of 2002, the sector began undergoing privatization, marking the advent of a new era in India.
Since then, numerous telecom companies have emerged in India, catering to the communication needs of the population. Yet, only a select few have managed to thrive amidst fierce competition and establish themselves in both our hearts and the market.
The Indian telecommunication market is largely dominated by a handful of providers, responsible for offering a wide range of telecommunication services, including internet provision and calling facilities.
In this blog, we will explore the top telecommunication companies that have not only survived fierce competition but have also excelled in delivering cutting-edge solutions and reliable connectivity. From offering high-speed internet to seamless mobile services, these companies have carved a niche for themselves in the Indian market.
So, let’s embark on this journey to discover the telecommunication leaders who are revolutionizing the way we connect, communicate, and experience the world of technology in India.
Top Telecom Companies in India by Users
Mobile Operator
Market Share
Jio
40.52%
Airtel
33.67%
Vodafone Idea
17.84%
BSNL
7.89%
MTNL
0.09%
Wireless Subscriber Market Share in India as of February 2025, by Service Provider
In India, Jio leads the telecom market with a 40.52% share, followed by Airtel with 33.67%. Vodafone Idea holds 17.8% of the market, while BSNL has 7.9%. MTNL, the smallest player, accounts for just 0.09% of the market share. The competition among these operators continues to shape the country’s telecom landscape, with Jio and Airtel dominating the industry. Despite the growth of private players, BSNL and MTNL still maintain a presence, albeit with significantly smaller shares.
Fixed-line telephone, Mobile telephony, Wireless broadband, Internet services, Mobile phones, OTT services
Top Telecommunication Companies in India – Jio
Reliance Jio is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries operating in the telecom industry, since 15th February 2007, founded by Mukesh Ambani with its headquarters at Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Jio is the business name for Reliance Infocom Limited and is the best telecom company in India.
The company offers multiple services including fixed-line telephone and mobile phones, wireless broadband with internet services, and OTT services. Right now Jio provides 4G, 4G+, and 5G services. However, furthermore, it is planning to expand its services to 6G. Reliance Jio is India’s biggest telecom company.
According to the reports of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Reliance Jio is the telecom company that has the highest market share in terms of being a wireless service provider. It has held40.52% of the market share among the rest of the other companies. It is the largest mobile network operator in India with over 46.72 crore (467.2 million) subscribers.
Fixed-line telephone, Mobile telephony, Broadband, Satellite television, Payments bank, Digital television, Internet television, IPTV
Top Telecommunication Companies in India – Airtel
Bharti Airtel Limited, operating under the business name of Airtel, is a public company, in the telecommunication sector. It was founded by Sunil Bharti Mittal on 7th July 1995. It is headquartered in Delhi and is one of the top 3 telecom companies in India.
Airtel is also known to offer different services such as Fixed-line Telephones, Mobile Phones, Broadband, Satellite Television, Payment Bank, Digital Television, Internet television, and IPTV. Its revenue as of 2021 is 101,258 Crore INR. It is the top mobile network in India.
Airtel is known for providing 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 4G+ services. According to TRAI reports, Airtel has a 33.67% market share in the wireless subscriber market and is the second top telecom company in India after Jio.
Mobile telephony, Wireless broadband, Internet services
Biggest Telecom Company in India – Vodafone Idea
Vodafone Idea Limited, one of the top 3 telecom companies in India is also known as VI is a joint venture of Idea and Vodafone as the name suggests. It was founded in the year 2018 when two major telecommunication companies decided to merge their businesses with their headquarters in Mumbai and Gandhinagar respectively.
The telecom company deals with products like mobile Telephony, wireless broadband, and internet service. However, the company has seen a great increment since 31st October 2021. Vodafone Idea is one of the top 3 telecom companies in India.
The company was recorded to achieve a total of 269.03 million subscribers giving it the rank of the third largest telecommunication company in India after Jio and Airtel. VI’s market share is 17.84% of the total market share of telecommunication companies in the wireless subscriber market in India.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is a telecommunication company owned by the Ministry of Communication, the Government of India. It is a statutory corporation founded in the year 2000, with its headquarters in New Delhi.
BSNL offers a wide range of services, including landline and mobile telephony, broadband internet, and enterprise solutions. With its extensive network infrastructure and reach across the country, BSNL, one of the oldest telecom operators in India has played a pivotal role in connecting millions of people, especially in rural and remote areas where connectivity is essential for development and communication.
Despite facing stiff competition from private players, BSNL continues to adapt and evolve to meet the changing demands of the telecommunication industry. The company’s dedication to customer satisfaction and its vast network coverage have helped it maintain a significant market presence in India. BSNL has the greatest share in terms of telecom PSUs at 7.89%.
Mobile telephony, Fixed-line telephony, Digital television, Wired and Wireless Broadband, IPTV
Top Telecommunication Companies in India – MTNL
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited or MTNL previously known as Bombay Telephone Limited is a subsidiary of BSNL owned by the Ministry of Communication, the government of India. It is a prominent telecommunications company that operates in the metropolitan cities of Delhi and Mumbai in India. Established in 1986, MTNL is a state-owned enterprise and provides a wide range of telecommunication services to its customers.
MTNL works and provides services in the fields of mobile telephony, fixed-line telephony, digital television, wired and wireless broadband, and IPTV. It was the first telecom operator in India to launch 3G mobile services, providing high-speed data and improved voice quality to its subscribers. The company continues to invest in upgrading its network infrastructure and introducing new services to meet the growing demands of its customers. MTNL has a market share of 0.09% among the other top telecommunications companies in India.
Telecom Sector Market Size
India is the world’s second-largest telecom market. As of May 2024:
Telecom Sector Market Size
Wireless users: 1.17 billion
Jio: 474.61 million
Airtel: 387.76 million
Vodafone Idea: 218.15 million
BSNL: 86.32 million
Wired broadband users: 41.31 million
Data Usage
From June to Sept 2024, total data use grew by 40.76%.
Wireless data rose 4.01% from Sept to Dec 2023.
4G used the most (86.66%), followed by 5G (12.59%), 3G (0.65%), and 2G (0.09%).
Telecom revenue: INR 91,426 crore (US$10.46 billion) in Q2 FY25.
Future
India will gain 500 million new internet users in 5 years.
By 2025, 22 million skilled workers will be needed in 5G-related fields like IoT, AI, robotics, and cloud computing.
The Indian Telecom sector is way ahead in the present time as of a few years back. India is considered the second-largest telecommunication market in the world. It has its shares of different firms involved in it. Irrespective of the number of firms working in the telecom sector, the Indian telecom industry is highly dominated by few telecommunication providers.
The top telecommunication companies in India have transformed the way we communicate, connect, and experience technology. They have not only expanded access to communication services but have also driven digital inclusion and economic growth. As we move forward, these companies will continue to redefine connectivity, enabling individuals, businesses, and the nation as a whole to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
FAQs
What is meant by telecommunication?
The term telecommunication stands for the transfer of information through different mediums such as wire, radio, or any other electromagnetic system.
Which firms provide telecommunication systems in India?
Firms like MTNL, Jio Reliance, Vodafone Idea, etc. are known to provide telecommunication services in India.
Which is the largest telecom company in India?
Based on current data, Reliance Jio is the largest telecom company in India.
What is the count of the total subscriber base in India for the telecommunication industry?
The total subscriber base count for the telecommunication industry in India is around 1170.38 million, calculated in December 2022.
What is the driving factor of the growth of telecom sector in India?
The proliferation of smartphones and the increasing demand for high-speed internet access have been key driving factors behind the growth of the telecom sector in India. Additionally, the government’s initiatives to promote digital connectivity and the rapid expansion of mobile network coverage have further fueled the industry’s growth.
What are the employment opportunities in telecom sector?
The telecom industry offers a wide range of employment opportunities, including roles in network engineering, telecommunications infrastructure, customer support, sales and marketing, research and development, and project management.
Which telecom company is best in India?
Reliance Jio is the best telecom company in India.
On March 26, Bharti Airtel declared that its Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services would be available in India. With some plans, it offers users access to a vast collection of on-demand content from 29 OTT streaming apps, including Netflix, ZEE5, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and many more. In addition to 600 well-known television channels, Airtel’s new IPTV subscriptions offer Wi-Fi that can be used at home or at work.
Pricing and Other Benefits
According to a press release, Airtel has introduced IPTV services in India, with Wi-Fi options starting at INR 699 per month. 350 TV channels, 26 streaming applications, and a 40 Mbps Wi-Fi connection are all included in this plan. Similar benefits are provided by the INR 899 package, which has a speed boost of 100 Mbps. Customers can choose the INR 1,099 package in the interim if they want to take advantage of faster internet connections. It provides 28 streaming apps, including Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime subscriptions, and 200 Mbps Wi-Fi. Plans costing INR 1,599 and INR 3,000 include 350 TV channels, 300 Mbps and 1 Gbps internet connections, plus Netflix, which completes the suite of streaming apps.
30 Days Complementary Service on Purchase
The telecom company claims that as part of an introductory offer, any Airtel customers who purchase IPTV plans through the Airtel Thanks App will receive up to 30 days of free service. With the absence of Delhi, Rajasthan, Assam, and the Northeastern regions, where the launch is scheduled for a few weeks from now, IPTV services are accessible in 2000 Indian cities. All new customers can take use of IPTV when they purchase new Wi-Fi plans from Airtel. Existing customers can upgrade to IPTV plans in the interim by visiting any Airtel store or using the Airtel Thanks app.
According to Siddharth Sharma, CEO of Connected Homes and Chief Marketing Officer at Bharti Airtel, the launch marks the beginning of a new age in home entertainment, where cutting-edge technology skilfully combines a variety of streaming apps with traditional linear TV to provide consumers with an immersive online experience. We are confident that customers will have a wonderful convergent home experience with Airtel IPTV, supported by Airtel’s fast Wi-Fi.
Elon Musk’s Starlink has joined forces with India’s leading telecom companies, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, to bring satellite internet services to the country. These partnerships aim to enhance internet access, especially in remote and underserved regions.
Reliance Jio’s Collaboration with Starlink
Reliance Jio, led by Mukesh Ambani, announced its agreement with SpaceX’s Starlink on March 12, 2025. This partnership plans to distribute Starlink’s satellite internet equipment through Jio’s extensive retail network across India. The collaboration looks to integrate Starlink’s satellite technology with Jio’s existing broadband services with the aim of providing reliable high-speed internet across India, including in the most remote areas.
Bharti Airtel’s Agreement with Starlink
A day earlier, on March 11, 2025, Bharti Airtel, led by Sunil Bharti Mittal and India’s second-largest telecom operator signed a similar deal with Starlink. This agreement aims to explore the integration of satellite internet services into Airtel’s offerings. The collaboration focuses on enhancing connectivity for businesses, schools, healthcare centres, and rural communities. By combining Airtel’s ground infrastructure with Starlink’s satellite capabilities, the partnership seeks to bridge the digital divide in India’s underserved regions.
Regulatory Approvals and Market Potential
Both deals need approval from the Indian government. Starlink has been waiting for a license since 2022, mainly due to security concerns. The government prefers assigning spectrum instead of auctioning it, which matches Starlink’s view. These partnerships may help speed up Starlink’s approval in India.
India presents a vast market for Internet services, with 40% of the population still lacking Internet access. The introduction of satellite-based internet aims to bridge this gap, providing connectivity in areas where traditional broadband services are challenging to deploy.
Implications for the Indian Telecom Industry
These partnerships mark a significant shift in India’s telecom industry. Despite previous disagreements over spectrum allocation methods, the collaborations indicate a unified effort to enhance connectivity across the country. Analysts view these tie-ups as beneficial for all parties, easing Starlink’s entry without clashing with local leaders. The deals coincide with broader political and economic cooperation between India and the US.
Future Prospects
The successful implementation of these partnerships could make the way for other ventures by Elon Musk, including Tesla, to establish a presence in India. They may also help address security concerns near sensitive borders by ensuring reliable communication. While pricing remains a challenge in a market with cheap mobile data, the impact on India’s digital growth could be huge.
In conclusion, the agreements between Starlink and India’s telecom giants, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, represent a strategic move to enhance internet connectivity across the country. By utilising satellite technology, these partnerships aim to bridge the digital divide, bringing high-speed internet to millions, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
The telecom departments of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have fined telecom major Bharti Airtel around INR 8 lakh. Bharti Airtel stated in an exchange filing on February 20 that it has been fined INR 6.59 lakh by the Andhra Pradesh telecom department for allegedly violating subscriber verification standards. The business added that Maharashtra authorities had fined it INR 1.37 lakh for allegedly breaking the rules governing electromagnetic field (EMF) self-certification. The filing explained the cause for the Andhra Pradesh telecom department’s penalty and the alleged infringement of terms and conditions with regard to subscriber verification criteria under the License Agreement, as per the Sample CAF Audit carried out by DoT for December 2024. However, the business clarified that the “maximum financial impact” of the two fines is only as much as the penalty that was assessed. The penalty warnings were sent to Airtel on February 20.
ICIL Selling its Stakes in Bharti Telecom
The aforementioned development follows the company’s announcement that Indian Continent Investment Limited (ICIL), a promoter-group business, had sold 5.11 Cr shares, or 0.84% of Bharti Airtel, in a market transaction valued at INR 8,485.11 Cr. In a subsequent exchange statement, the business stated that this deal comes after Bharti Telecom recently purchased an extra ~1.2% (~7.31 Cr. shares) in Airtel from ICIL in November 2024. This strengthens Bharti Telecom’s previously declared intention to become the primary vehicle to hold a controlling stake in Airtel, as it now owns approximately 40.47% of the company. Notably, Airtel and Vodafone Idea agreed to buy out all of their shares in Firefly Networks, their joint venture, to iBus Network and Infrastructure last month.
Financial Dynamics of Airtel
In the meantime, Airtel declared a net profit of INR 14,781 Cr for the third quarter (Q3) of the fiscal year 2024–25 (FY25), which is 505% more than the INR 2,442 Cr it reported for the same period last year. Additionally, the company’s sales increased by 19% from INR 37,900 Cr in Q3 FY24 to INR 45,129 Cr in the fiscal year under review. During the quarter, the telco’s average revenue per user (ARPU) was INR 245, compared to INR 208 in the third quarter of FY24. Additionally, the business teamed up with Bajaj Finance last month to provide their clients with digital financial services.
According to a media report, of the 37 analysts that follow the company, thirty have a “buy” rating on the stock, three recommend a “hold,” and two recommend a “sell.” An upside of 13.2% is shown by the average price estimate of analysts over the last 12 months.
Non-banking financial firm (NBFC) Bajaj Finance and telecom giant Bharti Airtel have launched a strategic alliance to provide its clients with digital financial services. The two businesses asserted in a joint statement that the partnership will open the door for the development of the biggest financial services digital platform in India. The telecom giant will first make Bajaj Finance’s financial solutions available on its Airtel Thanks app as part of the cooperation. After that, the telecom would also provide the 27 products offered by Bajaj Finance at its retail locations. A service pilot has already been started by the companies. The Airtel Thanks app currently offers two financial products, but by March of this year, four more will be available on the app: personal, business, and gold loans, as well as a co-branded “Insta EMI” card. By the end of 2025, Airtel intends to provide about ten of Bajaj Finance’s financial products.
Marking Phygital Presence in Financial Sector
Through this collaboration, Airtel and Bajaj Finance hope to increase the uptake of financial services and products by utilising their physical presence. According to the companies, the agreement will allow them to connect new users with the official financial system and access new-to-credit clients. According to the statement, both businesses are dedicated to providing seamless customer service, robust regulatory compliance, and data privacy and security as part of their cooperation. Additionally, the two will use artificial intelligence (AI) to “improve customer experiences and increase efficiencies.” The combined reach, scale, and distribution strength of the two businesses will be the foundation of this cooperation and aid in its success in the market, according to Gopal Vittal, managing director and vice chairman of Bharti Airtel. In addition to investing in and expanding the company, Airtel is establishing Airtel Finance as a strategic asset for the group. Rajeev Jain, MD of Bajaj Finance, commented on the agreement, saying that it not only uses India’s digital infrastructure for inclusive growth but also combines the reach and experience of two of the country’s most reputable and well-known businesses. In partnership with Airtel, Bajaj Finance aims to become India’s preferred financier and provide financial services to millions of people, especially in rural areas.
Growing Nexus of Fintech Market
In an effort to take advantage of the rising demand for online financial services, an increasing number of Indian conglomerates are entering the fintech space. Reliance is also engaged in the pursuit of a portion of the fintech market through Jio Financial Services. Fintech ventures received 21% of the $12 billion in funding that Indian entrepreneurs raised in 2024, demonstrating the magnitude of the industry. Last year, the industry closed 162 agreements totalling $2.5 billion. By 2030, the domestic fintech ecosystem is expected to reach a $2.1 trillion market potential, according to various media reports.
Price sensitivity seems to be higher among Indian consumers than private telecom corporations had anticipated. Following the announcement of rate increases in July, Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone have continued to lose customers. With the addition of new subscribers for the second consecutive month, state-owned BSNL, which had not hiked its tariffs, seems to be benefiting at their expense. A number of years of price battles came to an end in July when India’s telecom companies jointly announced price hikes.
With 79.7 lakh members lost in September, Jio experienced the most subscriber loss. In the meantime, Vodafone Idea lost 15.5 lakh customers, and Airtel lost 14.3 lakh. The customer base of state-owned BSNL increased by 8.5 lakh, in contrast.
BSNL Growing its Subscribers’ Network
These tendencies are consistent with August’s events. Airtel lost 24 lakh customers, Vodafone Idea lost 18 lakh customers, and Reliance Jio lost 40.1 lakh customers in August. During that time, BSNL added 25 lakh new customers. 2.5 lakh consumers were said to have switched from other providers to BSNL in July.
In September, 1.33 crore applications for mobile number portability (MNP) were submitted, representing a spike in demand. In the wake of increasing tariffs, the surge highlights growing customer unhappiness and shifting loyalties.
These actions come after Indian telecom firms announced pricing increases in June of this year, the first such action in about 30 months. Whereas Airtel had raised pricing by 10–21%, Jio had raised prices by 12–25% for its plans. VI’s various plans now have pricing that has increased by 11–24%. As a result, the most affordable 28-day monthly package with phone and data perks started at INR 189 for Jio and INR 199 for Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. For just INR 108, state-owned BSNL was providing a plan with comparable benefits.
BSNL’s New Initiatives to Attract More Subscribers
BSNL has been searching for ways to leverage its price advantage since that time. Direct-to-device services, automated SIM kiosks, and spam blockers are some of the new initiatives that BSNL has introduced. Positive social media buzz has also been generated about it; a video of BSNL staff members revealing a SIM in a dilapidated government building has been contrasted favourably to the flashy debuts of private telecom firms. The advantages of having a state-run telecom operator are becoming clear in the era of privatisation; even if their service isn’t the best, it gives customers an alternative in the event that private companies decide to band together and raise prices at the same time.
Wynk Music, an app that has been available for streaming music for ten years, is being shut down by the Indian telecom giant Airtel.
In the next months, the company would reportedly shut down the app and integrate all of its staff into the Airtel ecosystem, as reported by a news agency.
As previously announced, Wynk Music will be discontinued and all staff will be integrated into the Airtel ecosystem, according to a spokesperson from the company.
Collaboration Between Apple and Airtel
This new move comes not long after the Jio competitor formed a partnership with Apple, the company that manufactures iPhones, to supply its consumers in India with unique discounts for Apple TV+ and Apple Music.
Customers of Airtel Xstream will be able to watch content from Apple TV+ through premium Airtel WiFi and Postpaid plans as a result of the agreement.
Additionally, those who are enrolled in Wynk Premium, the music streaming service offered by Airtel, will have access to special deals that are only available on Apple Music. According to a press release issued by the firm, these deals would be made accessible to Airtel customers on an exclusive basis in India later on in the year.
As stated by Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats, “We are thrilled that Airtel customers in India will soon be able to enjoy all of the incredible content that is available on Apple TV+ and Apple Music.”
As our collection of world-class films, television series, and music continues to expand, we are confident that there will be something that will appeal to each and every one of our customers. In addition, Schusser stated.
The Market Presence of Wynk Music
Wynk Music is an application that was introduced by Airtel in September 2014. It gives customers the ability to download music for offline listening, modify caller ringtones, listen to podcasts, and stream music in a variety of regional languages.
At the moment, it is expected that the app has more than one hundred million users as subscribers.
It has been reported that Wynk Music provides approximately 300 crores of rupees to the annual revenue of the parent firm.
In August 2022, Wynk Music presented Wynk Studio, an ecosystem for the dissemination of music that was designed for independent musicians residing in India and other countries.
The studio is a component of Airtel’s digital product portfolio, which includes Wynk, Airtel Xstream, Airtel Ads, and Airtel IQ, amongst others. It also provides musicians with the ability to launch their music and collaborates with them on various steps of music promotion.
