Discussion Duopoly in Indian telecom sector

[Bapun]

Speaking to CNBC-TV18 during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 roadshow in Bengaluru, Pemmasani said the country needs four to five telcos. "From the government side, we converted nearly ₹36,000 crore into equity (in Vodafone Idea). They still have problems and keep seeking government support. We continue to accelerate, but our goal is not to have only two players," he said.

India targets 4-5 telecom players, wants to revive BSNL, support Vodafone Idea: MoS Communications - CNBC TV18

Speaking to CNBC-TV18 during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 roadshow in Bengaluru, Pemmasani outlined the government's stance on industry structure, BSNL revival, 6G ambitions, and AI integration in telecom.

www.cnbctv18.com

 

[iDJ]

To be fair this happened only because operators themselves were not saint. They were corrupt and dishonest. They took rural market for granted. Most of the big ones got caught in scams and got their licenses revoked. Some like Tata can't be even run a proper new business unless the pathway is set by a partner or their ancestor. Just look at the state of their e-commerce business. They even failed mighty docomo in telecom here. As much as we hate Airtel. They are the one surviving in this market. They never took it for granted.

 

[iDJ]

Another point to add. Back when telecom operators were charging huge amount for data. They were charging very less for calls which actually helped poor and middle class as people earned way less back than. Many people could afford the rental of telephone connection. They totally skipped landline for phones. This is how most people specially poor migrants and families connected with each other for the first time. Companies like Vodafone started offering talktime for Rs 25 followed by Rs 20 and Rs 10. That was need of time. We didn't had Uber, Swiggy, Zomato etc. back than. So charging high for data while keeping calls affordable made sense.

Coming to today. Internet is a basic necessity. Unemployed people are finding work from apps that totally rely on the internet. So both this era had their own perks. So speaking negative things about operators for the strategy that was suited for that era is wrong.

 

[TheAndroidFreak]

To be fair this happened only because operators themselves were not saint. They were corrupt and dishonest. They took rural market for granted. Most of the big ones got caught in scams and got their licenses revoked. Some like Tata can't be even run a proper new business unless the pathway is set by a partner or their ancestor. Just look at the state of their e-commerce business. They even failed mighty docomo in telecom here. As much as we hate Airtel. They are the one surviving in this market. They never took it for granted.

For me as of now, Airtel is worst operator in rural areas. Jio and BSNL is excellent in rural areas. Before Jio, Idea was good in rural areas and Vodafone was good in urban areas, so their merger was good thing, but Jio came and free offer for one year broke the condition of both Idea and Vodafone, so they couldn't expand as fast as Airtel could. Airtel is surviving? They too asked for AGR dues conversion into equity which is denied by GoI. We are virtually into monopoly era and it won't go till 2030. I just wish Jio deploys mmwave.

 

[gttj007]

I want 10rs balnce back for calling

 

[Ashok Varma]

For me as of now, Airtel is worst operator in rural areas. Jio and BSNL is excellent in rural areas.

In my village(AP, West Godavari district), Airtel is the only operator with 5g tower, BSNL with 3G and Jio don't have tower yet. My father enjoys Airtel 5G data.

 

[MaxPayne]

Bitter truth is, every Telcom is looking for minimum rs. 200 ARPU/month or higher plan. So don't expect them to launch voice & sms only plan and even if they do so, the price gap will be very much low between those two plans.

Just an idea. Not sure whether it's practical or possible to deploy. Like jio phones, every Telcom operators should launch 'feature phone' plans at lower costs for voice & sms only, which will works only on feature phones. Feature phone users may save a little from it atleast.

 

[iDJ]

Just an idea. Not sure whether it's practical or possible to deploy. Like jio phones, every Telcom operators should launch 'feature phone' plans at lower costs for voice & sms only, which will works only on feature phones. Feature phone users may save a little from it atleast.

Arey bhai, Jio phone has locked hardware. Private operators doesn't have same.

 

[TheAndroidFreak]

In my village(AP, West Godavari district), Airtel is the only operator with 5g tower, BSNL with 3G and Jio don't have tower yet. My father enjoys Airtel 5G data.

Same goes here, few villages I have travelled in my state doesn't have Airtel coverage yet. No 2G+4G+5G. Jio+BSNL+Vi all have top quality coverage.