Debt-ridden telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) continued to lose users in August 2025, with over 300,000 subscribers exiting its network, according to the latest data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
In contrast, private sector rivals Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel extended their market lead, adding 194,900 and 496,000 wireless users, respectively, during the same period.
State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) also recorded strong growth, adding 138,500 new wireless subscribers in August — the highest month-on-month growth rate among all telecom operators at 1.53%. The PSU recently rolled out its pan-India 4G network and is targeting a nationwide 5G rollout within the next six to eight months.
According to TRAI’s monthly report, India’s overall wireless tele-density improved from 82.16% in July to 82.35% in August 2025.
- Urban tele-density increased from 124.75% to 125.05%.
- Rural tele-density rose marginally from 58.20% to 58.30% during the same period.
Despite the steady industry-wide growth, Vi’s sustained subscriber losses continue to raise concerns over its financial health and ability to compete with larger peers in the ongoing 4G and upcoming 5G landscape.