BSNL witnesses massive surge in new customers after Jio, Airtel price hike

After the recent price hikes by major telecom operators like Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, there has been a surge in new customers switching to BSNL. According to a report by The Economic Times, approximately 250,000 people have switched to BSNL using mobile number portability (MNP) since the tariff hikes. BSNL also gained around 2.5 million new connections.

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This surge in new customers is attributed to the perceived lower prices offered by BSNL compared to its competitors, especially in the long-term and annual plans. For instance, the BSNL annual plan with 395 days of validity and 2GB/day data is priced at Rs 2,395, which is significantly lower than the annual plans offered by Airtel and Reliance Jio, priced at Rs 3,599. This has led to hashtags like ‘BSNL ki ghar wapsi’ and ‘BoycottJio’ trending on social media, reflecting the sentiment of users upset with the higher costs imposed by other telcos.

The new minimum 28-day plan from Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea costs Rs 199, and Rs 189 from Reliance Jio. Meanwhile, BSNL offers similar plans starting at Rs 108.

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BSNL has several monthly plans between Rs 107 and Rs 199, and a Rs 229 plan that includes unlimited data, voice calls, and some OTT apps.

BSNL’s Competitive Position and Market Share

BSNL’s competitive position and market share have been affected by the price hikes and the surge in new customers. The state-led BSNL has not been able to launch its 4G and 5G services, which has hindered its ability to compete with private operators and restrain their arbitrary tariff hikes. This has prompted discussions about the need for a state-run telephone company that can provide an affordable option to subscribers, especially in light of the rising tariffs by private operators. BSNL’s competitive position has been further highlighted by the fact that it has witnessed a decline in its subscriber base, as indicated by the loss of 1.23 million subscribers in a recent period.

Impact on Telecom Subscriber Base

The recent concurrent price increases from major telcos like Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea have prompted widespread support for BSNL on social media platforms. Hashtags such as ‘BoycottJio’ and ‘BSNL ki ghar wapsi’ have been trending, with over 45,000 posts recently. This indicates a significant shift in sentiment among users, with many arguing for porting their mobile SIMs to BSNL as an alternative due to the provider’s lower prices compared to other providers. The surge in new customers switching to BSNL reflects the impact of the price hikes on the telecom subscriber base and the choices made by consumers in response to these changes.

Conclusion

The recent price hikes by major telecom operators have led to a surge in new customers switching to BSNL, with users expressing dissatisfaction with the higher costs imposed by other telcos. This has prompted discussions about BSNL’s competitive position, the need for affordable options for subscribers, and the impact on the overall telecom subscriber base.