Mobile user base falls for second straight month, down 1.8 million in October

India’s total mobile subscriber base fell by 1.8 million in October, continuing its decline for the second straight month, according to data by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). The total mobile user base was at 1.143 billion at the end of October end, compared to 1.145 billion in September.

Last month, the total mobile subscriber base fell for the first time in six months. The reason for the fall in subscriber base can largely be attributed to the SIM card consolidation owing to inflationary pressures, according to analysts. SIM card consolidation refers to reduction in mobile network connections by consumers owing to issues such as affordability of tariffs. As per the Trai data, barring Mumbai, Assam, Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, all other service areas have showed decline in their wireless subscribers during the month.