Reliance Jio adds 6.5 mn users in July, Vodafone Idea sheds 1.4 mn
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel continued their subscriber addition streak by onboarding 6.5 million and 1.9 million users, respectively, in July, according to the latest data by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
Vodafone Idea, however, lost 1.4 million users in the same month.
The total wireless subscribers grew 0.51 per cent from 1,180.83 million at the end of June to 1,186.84 million at the end of July.
While wireless subscriptions in urban areas increased from 646.29 million at the end of June to 650.10 million at the end of July, the subscription in rural areas grew from 534.54 million to 536.74 million during the same period.
The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,202.57 million at the end of June to 1,209.45 million at the end of July.
Urban telephone subscriptions, which stood at 666.10 million at the end of June, rose to 670.75 million at the end of July. The rural subscription also increased from 536.47 million to 538.70 million during the same period.
The telecom sector has got a shot in the arm with the Union Cabinet recently approving a relief package, which includes a four-year break for companies from paying statutory dues, permission to share scarce airwaves, change in the definition of revenue on which levies are paid, and allowing 100 per cent foreign investment through the automatic route.
The measures are aimed at providing relief to companies like Vodafone Idea, which has to pay thousands of crores in un-provisioned past statutory dues.
Dear Reader,
Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.
We, however, have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
Digital Editor
