Airtel Becomes World’s Second-Largest Telecom Operator with 650 Million Users

Bharti Airtel has reached a total subscriber base of 650 million, placing it as the second-largest mobile service provider globally, based on data from GSMA Intelligence. The company operates across India and Africa, with both regions contributing to its overall scale. 

Global rankings in telecom continue to be led by China Mobile, which has over 1 billion subscribers. Airtel now follows, ahead of other international operators with more geographically concentrated operations. 

Contribution from African markets 

Airtel’s African business forms a substantial part of its subscriber base. Its subsidiary operates across 14 countries with 179 million customers. Services include voice, data, and mobile-led financial offerings. 

Airtel Money, the company’s mobile financial platform, has over 52 million users. It provides payments and basic financial access in regions where traditional banking penetration remains limited. 

Domestic Operations and Services 

In India, Airtel has over 368 million mobile subscribers. The company also serves around 13 million households through fixed broadband and more than 15 million users via its digital television services. 

The company has expanded its digital offerings, including 5G-based services, fixed wireless access, and IPTV. It has also entered financial services through app-based lending and credit products. 

Subscriber Additions and Market Share 

Data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India shows Airtel’s wireless market share increased to 37.59% in February 2026, compared with 37.4% in January. The company added 4.86 million mobile subscribers during the month. 

During the same period, Reliance Jio added 1.62 million users. Jio remains the largest telecom operator within India, with its subscriber base exceeding 500 million. 

Growth Trends and User Mix 

According to Kotak Equities, Airtel’s subscriber base grew at a compound annual rate of 2.9% between FY21 and FY26. Growth in data users was higher at 9.7% over the same period. 

Around 20% of Airtel’s users remain on 2G and 3G networks. This indicates scope for migration to data services, which typically generate higher average revenue per user. 

Read More: NSDL Launches 3-Year Settlement Fee Waiver for Women Investors! 

Bharti Airtel Share Price Performance  

As of April 2, 2026, 3:30 pm, Bharti Airtel share price closed at ₹1,792.00, up 0.57% from the previous closing price. 

Conclusion 

Airtel’s subscriber growth reflects expansion across 2 key regions, supported by additions in mobile and data users, alongside diversification into digital and financial services. 

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