While Airtel and Vodafone witness revenue growth in metros, Jio’s momentum in other circles remains strong. Airtel’s overall revenue market share from metros has grown sequentially to 30% from 27% in the June quarter
The efforts of Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to boost 4G coverage in urban markets are finally paying off, with the two telecom operators witnessing growth in metro cities in terms of revenue market share (RMS) in the September quarter, say analysts.
A UBS report reveals that Airtel’s overall RMS from metros has grown sequentially to 30% (from 27% in the June quarter) while VIL has held ground with 32% metro RMS.
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio’s metro RMS dropped to 24.9% in the September quarter from 26.3% in the April-June period. However, the company witnessed strong growth momentum in second-tier states and rural markets.
UBS researchers came out with their report after analysing telcos’ financial data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
Adjusted gross revenue drops
Analysts at UBS observed that revenue of companies from telecom services or adjusted gross revenue (AGR) declined by 0.7 per cent on a quarterly basis and down by 15.4 per cent year-on-year basis.
Brokerage ICICI Securities backed the report, saying the industry AGR dipped to Rs 32,000 crore due to seasonality and downgrades in postpaid category.
According to ICICI Securities report, Bharti Airtel has reported strong RMS gains in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, Maharashtra and Gujarat, while market leader Vodafone Idea strengthened its position in Delhi and Kolkata. In comparison, Jio suffered heavy sequential RMS losses in Delhi and Kolkata in the second quarter.
Reliance Jio records highest AGR market share
Reliance Jio, meanwhile, emerged as the top telecom service provider in terms of AGR at Rs 8,271 crore for the July-September quarter for access services, according to Trai’s latest data.
While Vodafone Idea recorded an AGR — earnings from mobile phone services — of Rs 7,528 crore, Bharti Airtel stood at the third position with an AGR market share of Rs 6,720 crore for the said quarter.
As per the UBS report, Airtel is market leader in six circles which include one metro and three among A category circles, and VIL led in five circles including two metro circles and one A category circle.
The report said that metros accounted for 11.6 per cent industry access revenue, while A circle share in the industry revenue was 40.7 percent, circle B was 35 per cent and circle C was 12.6 per cent.
