Bharti Airtel has exhibited its resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges within the telecom industry, especially in India's telecom environment. Airtel initiated its Tariff Correction Activity in November 2022, gradually raising the entry level prepaid tariff to Rs 155 by March 2023. The tariff correction activity was implemented in calculated phases, and Airtel remains the only telco to have raised the entry-level tariff to this level across all 22 telecom circles in India.
Also Read: Airtel Rs 155 Plan: What Are the Benefits Offered?
Fast forward to the present date, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the Telecom Subscription Data as of May 31, 2023, on August 1st, 2023, and Airtel continued to show positive net additions across all circles, except Kolkata. As reported earlier by TelecomTalk, Airtel has been steadily expanding its wireless subscriber base across India despite tariff hikes.
Also Read: Bharti Airtel Continues to Expand Wireless Subscriber Base Across India
Airtel Overall Wireless Subscriber Base
According to TRAI's data as of May 2023, Airtel added a total of 1,328,581 (~1.3 Million) wireless subscribers, bringing the overall wireless subscriber base to 372,315,782. As of May 31, 2023, Airtel holds a 32.57 percent market share in terms of wireless subscribers. Additionally, rural subscriber numbers also witnessed growth, taking the total rural subscriber count to 180,996,231.
As always, Airtel has recorded the highest proportion of its active wireless subscribers (VLR) percentage, reaching 100.09 in May 2023, which is the highest in the industry. Visitor Location Register (VLR) is a temporary database of subscribers who have roamed into a particular area served by the network.
Also Read: Airtel Prepays Rs 8,024 Crores to Clear 2015 Spectrum Liabilities
Airtel's Subscriber Additions in Circles
Airtel added the highest number of wireless subscribers in Rajasthan (226,580), Mumbai (173,799), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (163,176), Karnataka (122,207), West Bengal (116,522), and Bihar (103,857), followed by wireless subscriber additions in 15 other telecom circles.
Airtel Continues Leadership Circles
Airtel continued its leadership with the highest number of wireless subscribers in circles such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, North East, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh East, just like the previous month.
Airtel's wireless subscriber growth can be observed across all circles, despite tariff hikes. On the other hand, we can see competitors striving to reduce the effectiveness of tariff hikes by bundling more benefits into plans and indirectly reducing tariffs across all segments. In contrast, Airtel is adding subscribers at a gradual pace, continuing its positive momentum.
Also Read: Airtel Postpaid Plans for Mobility Under Rs 500
Expanding Connectivity to Reach Remote Areas
Apart from expanding its 4G and 5G services nationwide, Airtel is also investing in innovative technologies to provide 5G services in remote areas. Collaborating with Taara, the company is implementing laser technology to overcome traditional rollout challenges.
If we observe closely, in every move, Airtel is striving for a better customer experience while also taking into consideration the health of the telecom industry.
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