Reportedly Reliance Jio has added 44 million active subscribers over the past six months, while Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have lost 20 million and 68 million clients, respectively, most likely due to the introduction of minimum recharge plans, said a report from broking firm CLSA. Meanwhile Jio leads with 52% share among 3G/4G users, Bharti's share has been stable at 23%, but Bharti's incremental market share in 3G/4G additions during January-June has been much higher at 38%.
Furthermore the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) of india had reported that in June, mobile subscriber base increased by 4 million to 1,165 million, yet the active subscriber base declined by 6 million to 984 million. Reportedly with india mobile phone mart headed to a 2-3 player market and a recovery in sector revenues, driven by stability in tariffs and rising data adoption, we remain positive on Jio and Bharti Airtel given strong market-share defense and inevitable turn in revenues," CLSA said.
Perhaps Vodafone Idea's out-of-control gearing also remains a key concern, CLSA said. Moreover the report says the 3G/4G penetration is at 50 per cent and Vodafone Idea is lagging on this. In June, the sector added 13 million 3G/4G clients, taking the subscriber base to 576 million. 3G/4G subscribers now form 49 per cent of the reported mobile subscriber base.
