- Jio added 1.9 million new subscribers in June 2025, consolidating its lead.
- Airtel gained 763,482 subscribers, reinforcing its strong market presence.
Key Facts
- Airtel recorded a revenue market share of 40% in FY25, its highest ever
- Both Airtel and Jio are expanding 5G services to capture premium users
Background
In 2025, the intense telecom war between Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio is heating up as the two operators cement their positions to dominate the Indian wireless market at a time when Vodafone Idea continues to lose subscribers.
TRAI data shows Jio added 1.9 million net wireless users in June 2025, and Airtel added 763,482 consumers. On the other hand, debt-ridden Vodafone Idea lost 217,816 subscribers, marking its consistent challenge to hold onto subscribers. Together, Airtel and Jio now account for the lion’s share of India’s telecom market.
Financially, Airtel has posted its strongest-ever performance. Sunil Mittal-led operator recorded a record revenue market share (RMS) of 40% in FY25, a year-on-year expansion of 17.9% in total revenue to 1.25 crore. The company reported an EBITDA of ₹57,909 crore, marking an all-time high.
This report, published in July, cited the Airtel performance as a result of a better portfolio mix, further premiumisation, and mobile plan tariff repair. Its operator boosted its net 4G/5G subscriber base by 24 million in FY25, and the average revenue per user (ARPU) rose by 36 to 245, indicating greater monetization.
Reliance Jio, on the other hand, has gone with aggressive pricing. Recently, the company eliminated its basic entry-level plan, which can be interpreted as a drive toward greater-value plans among subscribers. The announcement lifted investor sentiment, with Reliance Industries’ shares rising more than 2.5% in mid-day trading the following day.
Analysts say the Airtel–Jio rivalry will only sharpen as both expand their 5G footprint and target premium users. Vodafone Idea’s subscriber losses and financial stress, however, highlight the widening gap between the top two players and the rest of the market.
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