Jio topples BSNL to become largest fixed-line service provider in August

Private telecom operator Reliance Jio toppled state-run BSNL in August to become the largest fixed-line service provider in the country, according to a Trai report released on Tuesday.

This is the first time since the beginning of telecom services in the country that a private operator has gained the numero uno position in the wireline segment.

According to Trai's subscriber report for August, Jio's wireline subscriber base reached 73.52 lakh while that of BSNL was at 71.32 lakh.

BSNL has been providing wireline services since the last 22 years, whereas Jio launched its wireline offering 3 years ago.

The wireline subscribers in the country grew to 2.59 crore in August from 2.56 crore in July.

The growth was dominated by the private sector, with Jio adding 2.62 lakh new customers, Bharti Airtel 1.19 lakh, Vodafone Idea (Vi) 4,202 and Tata Teleservices 3,769.

State-run telecom firms BSNL and MTNL lost 15,734 and 13,395 wireline customers, respectively, in August.

The overall telec