BSNL recorded the fastest monthly mobile subscriber growth rate among India’s four major telecom operators in September 2026, expanding its subscriber base by approximately 0.67%, according to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The state-owned operator added 6.26 lakh mobile connections during the month, ahead of Vodafone Idea (Vi), while Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel continued to lead in absolute subscriber additions.
TRAI’s September subscription report, released on October 27, shows that BSNL’s mobile subscriber base increased from 9.37 crore at the end of August to 9.43 crore at the end of September. Airtel recorded monthly growth of around 0.55%, followed by Jio at 0.53% and Vi at 0.28%.
The figures highlight two different aspects of India’s telecom market: BSNL grew faster relative to its existing subscriber base, while the two largest private operators continued to add considerably more connections.
BSNL Leads Monthly Mobile Subscriber Growth in September
BSNL’s subscriber base grew faster in percentage terms than those of Jio, Airtel and Vi during September. The growth rates are calculated by comparing each operator’s subscriber base at the end of August with its total at the end of September.
| Telecom operator | Net additions in September | Subscriber base at September-end | Monthly growth rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSNL | 6,25,633 | 9,42,96,332 | 0.67% |
| Bharti Airtel | 26,92,096 | 49,42,91,213 | 0.55% |
| Reliance Jio | 27,12,632 | 51,11,44,537 | 0.53% |
| Vodafone Idea (Vi) | 5,50,119 | 20,01,19,470 | 0.28% |
Source: TRAI’s September 2026 telecom subscription data. Growth rates are approximate and calculated from the August and September subscriber totals.
BSNL’s 0.67% growth rate was the highest among the four operators, but the absolute additions tell a different story. Jio added more than 27 lakh connections, while Airtel added nearly 27 lakh. Both operators gained more than four times as many connections as BSNL during the month.
BSNL’s higher percentage growth partly reflects its smaller starting subscriber base. A relatively modest increase in connections can translate into a higher growth rate when measured against a smaller base.
Jio and Airtel Continue to Dominate Subscriber Additions
Reliance Jio added 27,12,632 mobile connections in September, narrowly ahead of Airtel’s 26,92,096 additions. Together, the two operators accounted for more than 53 lakh net additions during the month.
Jio ended September with approximately 51.11 crore mobile connections, retaining its lead over Airtel, whose subscriber base stood at around 49.43 crore. Their respective market shares were approximately 39.32% and 38.02%.
Vi added 5,50,119 connections, taking its mobile subscriber base to approximately 20.01 crore. Although Vi recorded positive net additions in September, its monthly growth rate remained below those of the other three major operators.
BSNL, meanwhile, reached approximately 9.43 crore mobile connections. Its performance puts the focus on whether the operator can sustain subscriber gains while improving network coverage, service quality and its ability to compete with private telecom companies.
BSNL Adds Subscribers in 19 of 20 Service Areas
TRAI’s service-area data shows that BSNL recorded net mobile subscriber gains in 19 of the 20 service areas covered in its report. Tamil Nadu was the only service area to register a decline.
Rajasthan recorded BSNL’s largest increase, with 1,43,365 net additions during September. Madhya Pradesh added 66,235 connections, followed by Karnataka with 57,914, Andhra Pradesh with 48,102 and Kerala with 47,613.
The distribution suggests that BSNL’s monthly gains were spread across several parts of India rather than being concentrated in a single service area. However, the data alone does not establish why subscribers joined or whether the gains will continue in subsequent months.
For BSNL, maintaining this momentum will depend on the quality and availability of its network, customer experience, tariff competitiveness and the pace at which it improves its services.
Rural Connections Contribute to BSNL’s Growth
BSNL’s rural mobile subscriber base increased by 2,33,851 connections in September, reaching 3,11,11,261 at the end of the month. Rural additions represented approximately 37.4% of the operator’s total net additions during the period.
Rural connectivity remains an important market for BSNL, particularly in areas where its established network footprint and service presence can support demand. However, one month’s subscriber additions are not enough to establish a long-term trend or determine how much growth was driven by network improvements, pricing or other factors.
The coming months’ data will help show whether BSNL can sustain rural and overall subscriber growth.
What the September Numbers Mean for India’s Telecom Market
The latest figures show that subscriber growth cannot be assessed using a single measure.
BSNL led in monthly percentage growth, indicating that its subscriber base expanded faster relative to its August total. Jio led in absolute additions, with Airtel close behind, reflecting the scale at which the two private operators continue to acquire connections.
Vi also recorded net additions, but its growth rate was the lowest among the four major operators. Its future performance will depend on subscriber retention, network investment, financial capacity and its ability to compete in a market dominated by Jio and Airtel.
It is also important to distinguish subscriber connections from individual people. TRAI’s wireless mobile subscription figures include connections rather than a count of unique users, and the report separately tracks machine-to-machine connections. Subscriber growth therefore should not automatically be interpreted as an equivalent increase in the number of people using mobile services.
Can BSNL Sustain Its Subscriber Growth?
BSNL’s September performance is a positive sign for the state-owned operator, but sustained progress will require more than a single month’s growth rate. The company must continue attracting customers while delivering reliable connectivity and improving its competitive position.
The next TRAI subscription report will provide a clearer indication of whether BSNL’s gains are continuing. Investors, telecom watchers and customers will also be looking for evidence that subscriber growth is accompanied by stronger network performance and a better customer experience.
For September, the conclusion is clear: BSNL led the major operators in percentage subscriber growth, while Jio and Airtel remained well ahead in the number of connections added.
