Vodafone Idea Adds Subscribers for the First Time in 14 Months

Positive signs have come for the embattled Vodafone Idea in TRAI's latest data for January 2021 as the telco has added net positive customers for the first time since October 2019.

TRAI's Latest Data

Vi signed up 1.7 million subscribers during January after losing 55.4 million wireless users since October 2019. The pace at which the telco lost the subscribers reduced in December and finally it is in the positive once again. However, it appears that this gain is one time fluke, as the telco gained in only one circle and lost in all others. This circle was Uttar Pradesh (West), which, incidentally, was also the circle with the highest new subscribers gained during the timeframe.

Interestingly, Bharti Airtel led the gains in January, adding 5.9 million users, while Reliance Jio added 1.9 million customers. Vi came in third but at least this time around it managed to gain new customers. However, its market share shrunk marginally to 24.58%, while Airtel’s share grew to 29.62% in January. Reliance Jio remained the market leader with 35.30% share, as on 31st January.

In another positive, Vi's active subscribers were at 89.63%, which was the second highest ratio, behind Airtel. Reliance Jio lagged behind at only 79.01% active subscribers. However, the Mukesh Ambani-led telco led the mobile broadband sector, with 410.7 million users. Airtel was at 181.7 and Vi at 122.7 million as of 31st January. BSNL made up the top 4 with 18.9 million subscribers.

Vodafone Idea's Conundrum

The last year has been a rough one for Vi. It has the highest AGR dues pending to the Government. It has also been active than most in terms of offers, new data plans, and partnerships. However, if its recent showing at the 4G spectrum auction is anything to go by, Vodafone Idea has a very long way to go indeed.