Why Airtel Arpu is ahead of Jio's

Bharti Airtel Ltd has delivered an impressive sequential gain of 2.4% in average revenue per user (Arpu) for the September quarter (Q2FY26), rising to ₹256. Its rival Reliance Jio posted a modest 1.2% growth to ₹211.4.

- Manish Joshi

What explains Airtel's faster Arpu growth? First, its 2G user base—derived by subtracting 4G and 5G subscribers from total mobile users—fell 4.5% quarter-on-quarter to 78.37 million. As more 2G customers migrate to higher-priced 4G/5G plans that offer greater data usage, the overall Arpu rises.

Second, Airtel continues to benefit from a higher share of postpaid users than Jio. Its postpaid base grew 3.6% sequentially to 27.52 million in Q2. Postpaid users are typically premium ones, who generate stronger Arpu. Notably, Jio does not disclose its postpaid base nor does it have any 2G subscribers.

Likely, yes. 2G users still comprise 21% of its mobile subscriber base, and their gradual shift to 4G/5G plans will keep supporting. Its postpaid base, too, has risen 12% over the past year, a trend likely to continue.