The Indian telecom industry is one of the fastest growing in the world. With over 1.2 billion mobile subscriptions, India is the second-largest telecom market globally. This competition has been excellent news for Indian consumers who now enjoy high-quality 4G services at highly affordable rates from multiple operators. In this article, we take a deep dive into the major mobile operators in India. We cover:
Table of Contents
I. List of Mobile Operators in India
1. Main Mobile Operators in India
There are three main nationwide mobile operators in India:
- Airtel – Bharti Airtel is the largest telecom company in India with over 350 million subscribers. Airtel provides 2G, 3G and 4G services across India. It has the widest network coverage across the country. Airtel offers postpaid and prepaid plans.
- Jio – Reliance Jio Infocomm is the second largest operator with over 400 million subscribers. Jio launched 4G services in 2016 and gained tremendous success through affordable data plans. It kickstarted the revolution of affordable 4G data in India. Jio offers voice services through its 4G network. It has both prepaid and postpaid offerings.
- Vi – Vodafone Idea (Vi) is the third largest player created after the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular. It has about 280 million subscribers currently. Vi provides 2G, 3G and 4G services on both prepaid and postpaid platforms.
These three operators control over 75% of the Indian telecom market. They have nationwide 4G coverage and offer mobile services on a pan-India basis.
2. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in India
Apart from the main operators, there are also some MVNOs in India. MVNOs do not have their own network infrastructure. They buy wireless services wholesale from network operators and sell under their own brand. Examples include:
- JioFiber – Offers wireless services via the Jio network. It is focused on fixed wireless access.
- Airtel Xstream Fiber – Uses Airtel’s network to provide fixed wireless services bundled with fiber broadband.
- Tata Sky Mobile – Leverages the Airtel network and targets DTH subscribers of Tata Sky.
MVNOs have a much smaller subscriber market share in single digit percentages. But they provide some differentiation through bundled offerings.
II. How to Choose the Best Mobile Operators in India
Choosing the right mobile operators in India depends on many factors:
- Coverage – The operator should have strong network coverage in the areas you frequent regularly – home, office, commute routes etc. The major operators have quite extensive coverage across India now.
- Speeds – If you consume a lot of data, you should choose an operator that offers faster 4G speeds in your locality. Speeds vary based on congestion and locality.
- Price – Evaluate prepaid and postpaid plans across operators in terms of pricing, data benefits, calling minutes etc. Jio offers the most affordable 1.5GB per day prepaid packs while Vi has the cheapest postpaid plans.
- Customer service – Check reviews and feedback about customer service responsiveness across operators. Airtel often comes out ahead in customer service quality.
- Additional benefits – Some operators offer additional benefits like free access to streaming apps, device bundles etc. Jio offers a suite of apps with its plans.
You should choose the operator that best meets your specific requirements of coverage, speeds, pricing and customer service. Don’t just go by crowdsourced reports, actually test out networks at your home and office.
III. Best Mobile Operators in India – Detailed Comparison
Let’s do a detailed feature-by-feature comparison of the three leading mobile operators in India – Airtel, Jio, Vi and BSNL:
| Operator | Coverage & Speeds | English Support | Prices & Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jio | Wide coverage across India with over 99% Indian population with 4G | Good English UI and support across channels. | Lowest prices. All-IP network for VoLTE calls. Various affordable plans. |
| Airtel | Over 90% population including metros and towns. VoLTE network is also the largest. | Good English UI and support options. | Competitively priced plans. Additional benefits like Wynk Music. |
| Vodafone Idea | 4G coverage across 22 telecom circles across India covering about 80% of Indian population. | English UI and support available. | Low to mid-range pricing. Plans offer data benefits primarily. |
| BSNL | Widest rural coverage. Varying speeds based on technology. | Support for English is limited. | Low pricing but FUP limits. Landline backup is USP. |
Jio is a close second with its affordable tariff plans and rapidly improving 4G network. Vi lags the competition but remains strong in select circles with affordable postpaid pricing.
Notes: Based on these parameters, Jio emerges as the best mobile network in India with its superior coverage, speeds, network quality and customer service.
IV. Where to Buy SIM Cards from Mobile Operators in India?
It is quite easy to get new mobile connections in India from Airtel, Jio, Vi and other operators both offline and online:
Offline Purchase
- You can buy new SIM cards from thousands of branded retail stores of Airtel, Jio, Vi located across the country. Stores are there in all major localities, markets etc.
- Operators also have a presence across millions of multi-brand outlets where you can get SIM cards.
- While purchasing, you need to carry your ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN) and address proof (Aadhaar, passport etc).
- The process to activate can take upto 24 hours once your KYC is verified.
Online Purchase
- All leading operators allow you to buy SIM cards online from their website or app by selecting your preferred plan and submitting ID/address proof digitally.
- The SIM is home delivered and activated mostly within 2-3 working days in metro cities after online KYC verification.
- Online purchase offers convenience without visiting a store. But takes more time for activation.
So prefer online if you want convenience. For instant activation, visit the nearest operator store or multi-brand outlet in your locality with ID proof and get started!
V. Do Mobile Operators in India Offer eSIM?
Unlike the plastic physical SIM cards, an eSIM or embedded SIM is a digital SIM integrated into the phone. eSIM allows you to activate mobile plans without having to insert a physical SIM.
- Airtel – Offers eSIM services for postpaid and prepaid customers. It allows you to have two plans – one on physical SIM and one on eSIM.
- Jio – It launched eSIM capability in late 2021. Jio eSIM can be activated via the MyJio app for postpaid customers. Prepaid Jio eSIM is also available via online recharge. Plans start at Rs. 129 with 1.5GB daily data.
- Vi – Vi rolled out eSIM support in early 2022 initially for select iPhone users. Activation can be done via the Vi app. Popular double data prepaid plans with eSIM start at Rs. 299 with 2GB daily data.
- BSNL – The state-run telco launched a limited eSIM trial in 2021 but a full commercial launch is still awaited.
Currently, eSIM adoption is more popular. More suppliers like India eSIM by GIGAGO are expected to introduce eSIM support on more device models going forward for greater flexibility. No matter how many days you stay in India, India eSIM promises you’ll have a smooth connection with various data plans. Let’s check out our 3 days plan and 20 days plan below:
VI. FAQs
Q: Which operator has the cheapest prepaid plans?
A: Jio has the most affordable prepaid plans like 1.5GB data per day packs starting Rs 149. Vi has very cheap talktime packs like Rs 49 SVD pack.
Q: Which is the fastest 4G operator?
A: Airtel provides the fastest 4G speeds of about 11 Mbps based on TRAI tests. Jio and Vi have comparatively lower speeds.
Q: Do operators offer unlimited calling?
A: Most prepaid and postpaid plans from Airtel, Jio and Vi offer unlimited voice calling without any FUP. Some base talktime packs may have small talktime limits.
Q: Can I port my number to another operator?
A: Yes, mobile number portability (MNP) allows you to switch to another operator while retaining the same mobile number within a few days.
Q: How can I check coverage in my area?
A: You can check coverage maps on operator websites or apps. Also ask neighbors, family about their experience with Airtel, Jio, Vi in your locality.
Conclusion
Mobile operators in India are mainly dominated by Airtel, Jio, Vi and BSNL who collectively hold a significant share of the mobile subscriber market. When choosing a provider, it is essential to consider your specific requirements, such as coverage, speed, cost, or customer service. It is recommended to test different networks before making a decision.
