BSNL Bounces Back: Adds 29 Lakh Subscribers as Rivals Face Decline

In a remarkable turnaround, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the state-owned telecom operator, has added a staggering 29 lakh new subscribers in July 2024, bucking the trend of declining subscriber numbers faced by its private sector rivals. This impressive performance comes on the heels of BSNL’s aggressive network expansion and the launch of attractive plans, which have resonated with consumers across the country.

BSNL’s Subscriber Gains

• July 2024 Addition: BSNL added 29 lakh new subscribers in July 2024, according to the latest monthly report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
• Market Share Increase: With this addition, BSNL’s market share has increased, solidifying its position as a key player in the highly competitive Indian telecom landscape.
• Contrast with Rivals: In contrast to BSNL’s gains, leading private operators like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) have all reported subscriber losses in the same period.

Reasons for BSNL’s Success

BSNL’s subscriber growth can be attributed to several factors:

1. Network Expansion: BSNL has been aggressively expanding its network, with plans to roll out 1 lakh 4G towers by mid-2025. This expansion has improved coverage and service quality, attracting new subscribers.
2. Attractive Plans: BSNL has launched several attractive plans, such as the recent offer of 71 days extra validity in the Rs. 1,999 plan, which includes unlimited data and calling. These plans have resonated with consumers and driven subscriber growth.
3. Trust in Government-Owned Operator: Many consumers have shown faith in BSNL as a government-owned operator, choosing it over private players. This trust has contributed to BSNL’s subscriber gains.
4. Leveraging Mobile Number Portability (MNP): BSNL has effectively utilized the MNP facility, with over 50 lakh subscribers porting their numbers to BSNL from other operators in 2018-2019.

Subscriber Losses for Private Operators

While BSNL has seen impressive subscriber growth, leading private operators have faced declines:

• Bharti Airtel: Lost 1.69 million mobile subscribers, the highest among its peers.
• Vodafone Idea: Lost 1.41 million mobile subscribers.
• Reliance Jio: Lost 758 thousand mobile subscribers.

These losses can be attributed to factors such as tariff hikes, which have made services less affordable for some consumers.

BSNL’s Wireline and Broadband Performance

In addition to its mobile subscriber gains, BSNL has also performed well in the wireline and broadband segments:

• Wireline Connections: BSNL lost 134 thousand fixed-line customers, while its sister concern lost 56,454 customers. However, the overall wireline segment increased by about 1% to 35.56 million in July.
• Broadband Connections: BSNL added 29.61 million broadband customers, ranking fourth among top players. The overall broadband customer base in the country increased to 946.19 million at the end of July.

read more: India’s First Boeing 737 MAX 9 Now Owned by Mukesh Ambani

BSNL’s Future Plans

BSNL has ambitious plans for the future, including:

1. 4G Network Rollout: BSNL aims to roll out 1 lakh 4G towers by mid-2025, which will significantly improve its network coverage and service quality.
2. Indigenous 4G and 5G Development: BSNL is working on developing its own 4G and 5G stacks, making it the first Indian telecom operator to attempt this. This will reduce its reliance on foreign vendors and potentially lower costs.
3. Expansion of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Services: BSNL has launched its Bharat Fiber FTTH service in Jammu and Kashmir, with plans to expand it to all districts in the state. This service offers reliable, high-speed internet to customers.

Conclusion

BSNL’s impressive subscriber gains in July 2024 demonstrate its resilience and ability to adapt to the changing market dynamics. By focusing on network expansion, attractive plans, and leveraging consumer trust, BSNL has managed to outperform its private sector rivals. As the company continues to invest in 4G and 5G development and expand its FTTH services, it is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of India’s telecom sector. BSNL’s success story serves as an inspiration for other public sector enterprises and highlights the importance of innovation and customer-centric strategies in the highly competitive business environment.