Bharti and RJio continue to gain market share

TRAI released its quarterly telecom financial data for 3QFY23. Below are key highlights:

Steady revenue growth – Bharti/RJio gaining from VIL/others
The telecom industry grew by 2% QoQ (AGR incl NLD) in 3QFY23, largely backed by ARPU growth. Subscriber growth was flat, indicating the underlying trend of 1) consolidation of dual sim cards in the market, and 2) upgrade from 2G to 4G. Bharti and RJio witnessed AGR growth of 2% QoQ each, while IDEA posted a 1.4% QoQ decline in AGR. As a result, Bharti/RJio gained market share by 30bp/10bp QoQ to 36.2%/41.1%, while VIL’s market share dropped 50bp QoQ to 16.8%.

ARPU grows for all telcos
Industry ARPU grew 2% QoQ, supported AGR growth of 2% QoQ. Bharti and VIL reported a 2% QoQ increase each in ARPU, while RJio saw a 1% QoQ increase. For Bharti/RJio, the subscriber base increased by 1% QoQ to 368m/425m, while VIL posted a 3% drop in subscribers to 241m.

Circle-wise AGR share – Bharti/RJio gaining in most circles
Out of the total 22 circles, Bharti/RJio saw their market share improve in 16/14 circles with average growth of 1% QoQ each.

Bharti raised tariffs for the entry level plan in two circles, Odisha and Haryana, in Nov’22. In both the circles, Bharti gained 40bp/90bp market share.

• RJio gained 40bp in Metro and A circle to 39.7%, followed by Bharti gaining 10bp to 36.7% and VIL losing 80bp to 17% in 3QFY23. RJio gained 260bp in Delhi from Bharti/VIL, who lost 200bp/50bp in Delhi.
• Bharti’s focus on the rural market played out well, with its AGR market share growing faster in Circle B&C than in Metro and A circle.
• In B Circles, Bharti’s market share rose by 50bp to 33.1%, RJio’s share was flat at 48% and IDEA lost 30bp to 15.5%. Bharti gained 140bp in UP (west) and 90bp in Haryana from VIL.
• Even in Circle C, Bharti’s market share rose 40bp to 41.7%, RJio lost 40bp to 52.1% and VIL was flat at 3.6%. In J&K, Bharti’s market share grew 150bp to 47.2%.

CT Bureau