Users are becoming disillusioned with the government telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited i.e. BSNL. After the tariff increase by Jio, Airtel and Vodafone in July, BSNL became the first choice of the people. A campaign to boycott Jio and Airtel was started on social media. In such a situation, a large number of mobile users had ported their numbers to BSNL. The result was that in September and the following months, there was a decline in the user base of Jio, Airtel and Vodafone-Idea. The users of BSNL had increased rapidly. But now the pace of porting in BSNL has been slowed down. According to the report of IIFL Securities, the process of users of Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea switching to BSNL has slowed down.
The pace of porting to BSNS has slowed down.
It has been said in the report that due to poor network of BSNL and absence of 4G and 5G network, users are avoiding porting to BSNL. Let us tell you that private telecom companies had increased the tariff by 11-25% for investment in 5G network and increase in average revenue per user (ARPU), but BSNL did not increase the tariff. It was also said that there will be no increase in tariff in the near future. This was the reason why mobile users increasingly switched to BSNL. But after the three month port limit is over, users have again started returning to Jio, Airtel and Vodafone-Idea.It is indeed expected that the port speed from BSNL to Jio and Airtel may increase in the coming days.
What is the reason?
Jio and Airtel have rolled out 5G service in most parts of the country.Vodafone Idea has announced the launch of 5G service. Whereas 4G networks of Jio, Airtel and Vodafone-Idea are present in the entire country. BSNL is still far behind in this matter. Also network is a separate issue. According to the report, mobile users are talking about porting back to jio and Bharti.
BSNL’s cheapest plan
BSNL offers 2GB data daily for 28 days for Rs 199. In comparison, Jio provides 2 GB data daily for 28 days for Rs 329. Similarly, Airtel gives 2 GB data for 30 days for Rs 379.
Impact of such expensive recharge
According to TRAI’s September data, Jio’s wireless users declined to 463.78 million in August from 471.74 million. Similarly, Airtel’s userbase decreased from 384.91 million to 383.48 million in August and Vodafone Idea’s userbase decreased from 214 million to 212.45 million in August. But BSNL’s wireless userbase increased from 91.04 million to 91.89 million in august.
What are the main factors contributing to BSNL’s competition challenges in the Indian telecom market?
Interview: BSNL’s Rise and Challenges in the Indian telecom Sector
Editor (Time.news): Thank you for joining us today. We’re witnessing important changes in the Indian telecom landscape. Users initially embraced Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) after the tariff hikes by Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea. Can you give us a brief overview of the current situation?
Expert: Absolutely. The initial response to tariff increases was quite remarkable. BSNL became a favoured choice as users moved away from the private telecom giants. The rush to port numbers to BSNL was fueled by social media campaigns urging a boycott of Jio and Airtel.However, more recently, we’ve seen a slowdown in this trend. While BSNL’s user base rose from 91.04 million to 91.89 million in August, the pace of new porting has considerably diminished.
Editor: What do you believe are the underlying reasons for this slowdown in user acquisition for BSNL?
Expert: The primary factors include BSNL’s poor network quality and lack of 4G and 5G services. As Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea roll out these advanced networks nationwide, many users are finding BSNL’s offerings less attractive. The absence of high-speed internet options means that, despite BSNL’s competitive pricing – for instance, offering 2GB data daily for just ₹199 – users are reconsidering their decisions once the initial excitement wears off.
Editor: That’s a crucial point. With Jio and Airtel providing robust 4G and 5G networks, what does this mean for BSNL’s future user retention?
Expert: Regrettably, it suggests that BSNL may face an uphill battle.users frequently enough prioritize network reliability and speed, especially for data-heavy activities. If BSNL cannot expedite its 4G rollout and subsequently enhance its network quality, the expectation is that we may see a renewed shift back to Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea as the three-month porting limit expires for many users.
Editor: This brings us to a very pertinent topic. Are there any tangible actions BSNL can take to address these challenges and regain momentum?
Expert: BSNL must prioritize upgrading its infrastructure to include both 4G and 5G networks. They also need to enhance customer service and network reliability. Keeping tariffs stable is crucial, but if users experience connectivity issues, they’ll likely switch back regardless of the cost advantage. Investment in modern technology and frequent dialog with users about service improvements could help rebuild trust.
Editor: what should existing BSNL users and potential new users keep in mind while considering their options in the current market?
Expert: Users should evaluate their unique needs—what’s more important for them, cost or connectivity? While BSNL is currently the more affordable option, users must ask themselves if the trade-off on network quality is worth it for them in the long run.It’s essential to stay updated on service rollouts and any promotional offers that might influence their decisions.
Editor: Thank you for your insights. As the situation evolves in the telecom sector, it’s evident that both companies and consumers must adapt to these changes while evaluating options based on their priorities.
expert: Thank you for having me. It’s going to be fascinating to watch how these dynamics continue to unfold in the coming months.