Industry Odisha Bureau, Aug 18: Even though the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), an Indian public sector undertaking under the ownership of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and a part of the Ministry of Communications under Government of India (GoI), is in the prime scene since long, three private telecom players are now reportedly ruling the roost in India’s telecom service providing field, and thus, the analysts have reportedly drawn a comaprison so far their plans and services are concerned, as well as have an overview from their points of view.
Media reports, citing the comparison made by analysts, have stated that, “All the three private telecom operators (Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea) offer competitive prepaid and postpaid plans. While Jio leads on bundled OTT benefits, Airtel offers strong 5G data perks, and Vodafone Idea (VI) competes on low-cost unlimited data options.”
Media reports, citing the comparison made by analysts mainly between Jio and Airtel, have further stated that, “Jio generally offers cheaper data plans with higher daily data and stronger nationwide 5G reach, while Airtel provides better entertainment bundles and faster 5G speeds. Jio’s Rs 349 plan gives 2GB/day plus Google Gemini Pro, whereas Airtel’s Rs 349 offers 1.5GB/day with Apple Music and Xstream Play. On select plans, Jio offers JioHotstar, JioTV, JioCinema, Google Gemini Pro, JioAICloud, while Airtel offers SonyLiv, Apple Music, Xstream Play, Amazon Prime Lite”.
Analysts have also reportedly added that, “Both Jio and Airtel have shifted toward premiumisation and higher average revenue per user (ARPU), but their plan strategies differ. While Jio focuses on affordability, higher data quotas, and AI/cloud benefits, Airtel emphasizes premium OTT bundles and superior 5G speed performance.”
Talking on the network coverage and performance of Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea, analysts have reportedly stated that, “Jio has about 99.5% 4G population coverage, that is strongest in rural reach with best download speeds and reliability per opensignal, while Airtel has about 98% population coverage, and its performance is claimed to be the best in the metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, and also leads in gaming, voice app and upload speed experience. Vodafone Idea has 93% population coverage, that is claimed to be strong in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka, but its coverage gaps are claimed to be in rural north and east India, nevertheless, claimed to be improving under its revival plan.”
As per media reports, “Jio had 533 million subscribers, including 285 million 5G users as of 2026 June-end, while Airtel’s subscribers in India were at 492 million, and Vodafone Idea had 193.1 million subscriber base at the end of June this year. Airtel’s ARPU was Rs 264 a month at the end of 2026 June quarter in comparison to Jio’s Rs 215.8, while Vodafone Idea’s ARPU was Rs 177.”
