iWorld
Reliance Jio adds 4.2 million mobile subscribers in June: Trai
Mumbai: Reliance Jio added 4.2 million mobile subscribers in the month of June, followed by Bharti Airtel at 0.7 million, as per subscription data by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Vodafone Idea lost 1.8 million subscribers during the same period.
The total number of mobile subscribers increased from 1,145.50 million to 1,147.39 million, registering a growth of 0.16 per cent. Wireless subscriptions in cities increased from 624.55 million to 625.49 million, while rural subscriptions increased from 520.96 million to 521.90 million.
There were a total of 1,017.56 active mobile subscribers (VLR subscribers) during the month. Reliance Jio had the greatest number of VLR subscribers at 383.24 million, followed by Bharti Airtel at 357.21 million and Vodafone Idea at 218.67 million.
As per data received from 666 operators in June, the total broadband subscribers increased from 794.68 million to 800.94 million. Out of which, 28.71 million were wired subscribers; 771.13 million were mobile device users; and 1.10 million were fixed broadband users.
The top five wired broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm at 6.16 million, followed by Bharti Airtel at 4.85 million, BSNL at 3.84 million, Atria Convergence Technologies at 2.11 million, and Hathway Cable and Datacom at 1.11 million subscribers.
The top five service providers constituted 98.47 per cent of the total broadband subscribers at the end of June. These service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm at 419.17 million, followed by Bharti Airtel at 219.41 million, Vodafone Idea at 122.96 million, BSNL at 25.02 million, and Atria Convergence at 2.11 million.
The total number of wireline subscribers increased from 25.23 million to 25.57 million in June.
The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,170.73 million to 1,172.96 million, thereby showing a monthly growth rate of 0.19 per cent.
Urban subscriptions grew from 647.81 million to 649.09 million, and rural subscriptions grew from 522.92 million to 523.87 million.
In the month of June, 9.02 million subscribers submitted their requests for mobile number portability (MNP). With this, the cumulative MNP requests increased from 705.54 million at the end of May to 714.56 million at the end of June since the implementation of MNP. The number of active wireless subscribers in June was 1,017.56 million.
iWorld
Uber spotlights Rs 25 bike rides with music led IPL campaign
Uber uses 15 second music films with Divine and Roll Rida to push Rs 25 rides
MUMBAI: In a season where ads usually swing for sixes with celebrity spectacle, Uber has chosen to play a clever single sharp, fast, and straight to the point. Uber has rolled out a distinctly stripped-down IPL campaign, putting its product Uber Bike rides starting at Rs 25 for up to 3 km front and centre, rather than leaning on big-budget storytelling. The campaign features hip-hop artist Divine in Mumbai and Roll Rida in southern markets, using music as the primary vehicle for recall.
IPL advertising has long been dominated by high-production narratives packed with cricketers and film stars. Uber’s approach flips that playbook. Instead of elaborate storytelling, the brand opts for 15-second music-led films quick, rhythmic bursts designed to mirror the pace of urban mobility itself.
The message is deliberately simple, affordable, fast rides that cut through city traffic. No layered plots, no extended build-up just a functional promise delivered with cultural flair.
In the Mumbai-led film, Divine zips through traffic on an Uber Bike, turning the Rs 25 price point into a hook with his signature wordplay around “pachisi”. The campaign cleverly reframes affordability as a moment of delight, the kind that leaves commuters with a “32-teeth smile” after beating traffic at minimal cost.
Meanwhile, Roll Rida’s version leans into southern sensibilities, blending Telugu and Tamil influences with high-energy visuals. Set to the beat of tape drums, the film celebrates how low-cost rides can unlock a more connected and vibrant city experience. Together, the films reflect a conscious push towards regional authenticity, rather than a one-size-fits-all national narrative.
The campaign also signals Uber’s sharper focus on India’s growing bike taxi segment. While the company offers multi-modal services spanning cars, autos, metro integrations and intercity travel, this push zeroes in on two-wheelers as a key growth lever in dense urban markets.
By anchoring the campaign around a Rs 25 entry price for short distances, Uber is targeting everyday commuters, particularly younger users navigating congested cities where speed and cost matter more than comfort.
With IPL advertising clutter at its peak, even the most straightforward message risks getting lost. Uber’s answer is to embed the proposition within culture using music, regional nuance and repeat-friendly short formats to drive recall. The creative team has also layered subtle visual cues including multiple references to “25” within frames encouraging repeat viewing and reinforcing the core message without over-explaining it.
The campaign reflects a broader shift in advertising priorities. As attention spans shrink and media environments get noisier, brands are increasingly favouring clarity over complexity and speed over scale.
Uber’s IPL play may not shout the loudest, but it lands where it matters in the everyday commute. Because sometimes, in a marketplace full of grand narratives, a Rs 25 ride is story enough.
