Summary:
India’s internet subscriber base crossed 1.09 billion in March 2026, with TRAI data showing strong growth in connectivity, data consumption and telecom revenues. Wireless data traffic increased 24.74 per cent to 2,85,376 petabytes, while average monthly data usage per subscriber rose to 25.51 GB and the overall telephone subscriber base reached 1.33 billion. Telecom revenues also grew, with gross revenue rising 8.59 per cent to Rs 4,04,067 crore, while private operators continued to dominate the market. At the same time, wireline connectivity expanded significantly, whereas DTH subscriptions and FM radio advertising revenues declined, highlighting the broader shift towards data-driven digital communication.
India’s telecommunications landscape is increasingly defined not only by the expansion of connectivity but also by the growing intensity of its usage. According to the latest TRAI data, the country’s total internet subscriber base exceeded 1.09 billion by March 2026, alongside increases in data consumption, wireless connections and telecom-sector revenues.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has published its Indian Telecom Services Yearly Performance Indicators report for 2025-26, covering the period between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The report examines developments across telecom services as well as cable TV, DTH and radio broadcasting, using information primarily provided by service providers.
India’s internet subscriber count increased from 969.10 million at the end of March 2025 to 1,092.79 million by March 2026, representing annual growth of 12.76 per cent. Broadband users made up the vast majority of the total, reaching 1,065.88 million, while narrowband subscribers stood at 26.91 million.
Broadband subscriptions recorded 12.90 per cent growth during the year, rising from 944.12 million to 1,065.88 million. Narrowband connections also expanded by 7.72 per cent, increasing from 24.98 million to 26.91 million, indicating continued growth in internet access across both connection categories.
The more significant change can be seen in the amount of data being consumed. Wireless data traffic rose 24.74 per cent, from 2,28,779 petabytes in 2024-25 to 2,85,376 petabytes in 2025-26. During the same period, wireless data subscribers increased 9.29 per cent, moving from 939.51 million to 1,026.75 million.
Monthly wireless data consumption per subscriber also increased substantially, climbing 18.49 per cent from 21.53 GB to 25.51 GB. In contrast, average revenue realisation per GB declined 10.59 per cent, from Rs 8.97 to Rs 8.02. This reflects a continued trend in which users consume increasing amounts of data while the effective cost of each gigabyte falls.
The growth in data usage has also contributed to higher telecom revenues. Revenue generated from wireless data services increased 11.53 per cent to Rs 2,39,874 crore in 2025-26, compared with Rs 2,15,078 crore in the previous year. Monthly ARPU for wireless services increased 3.59 per cent from Rs 174.46 to Rs 180.73. Prepaid ARPU stood at Rs 190.66, while postpaid ARPU was Rs 119.76.
Voice calling continued to account for significant usage, with wireless subscribers averaging 950.11 minutes of total usage each month. Prepaid users recorded an average of 1,055 minutes, compared with 305 minutes among postpaid subscribers.
India’s total telephone subscriber base grew 10.81 per cent, from 1,200.80 million in March 2025 to 1,330.58 million in March 2026. As a result, overall tele-density increased by 9.66 per cent over the year, rising from 85.04 per cent to 93.26 per cent.
Urban areas recorded considerably faster growth than rural regions. Urban telephone subscriptions increased 16.92 per cent, from 666.11 million to 778.79 million, resulting in urban tele-density rising from 131.45 per cent to 151.47 per cent. Rural telephone connections grew 3.20 per cent, from 534.69 million to 551.79 million, while rural tele-density moved up from 59.06 per cent to 60.46 per cent.
Consequently, the rural segment’s share of India’s total telephone subscriber base decreased from 44.53 per cent in March 2025 to 41.47 per cent in March 2026. The figures highlight the faster pace of connectivity growth in urban markets, while rural areas continued to register additions.
Wireless services continued to form the foundation of India’s telecom market. Wireless mobile and fixed wireless access subscribers increased 10.19 per cent to 1,282.33 million, adding 118.58 million users during 2025-26. Wireless mobile subscribers alone reached 1,265.73 million, representing 9.40 per cent growth and a net addition of 108.74 million subscribers during the year.
Wireline connectivity also recorded a notable increase. The number of wireline subscribers rose 30.25 per cent, from 37.04 million to 48.25 million, lifting wireline tele-density from 2.62 per cent to 3.38 per cent. Urban wireline tele-density increased from 6.62 per cent to 8.37 per cent, while the rural figure rose from 0.39 per cent to 0.57 per cent.
Private-sector operators continued to hold the dominant position in the telecom market, accounting for 92.32 per cent of total telephone subscribers, compared with 7.68 per cent held by public-sector operators. In wireless services specifically, private companies accounted for 92.74 per cent, while public operators held 7.26 per cent.
The sector’s financial performance also improved during the year. Gross revenue from telecom services increased 8.59 per cent, from Rs 3,72,097 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 4,04,067 crore in 2025-26. Applicable Gross Revenue rose 7.12 per cent to Rs 3,81,645 crore, while Adjusted Gross Revenue increased 10.44 per cent, from Rs 3,03,025 crore to Rs 3,34,659 crore.
Pass-through charges moved in the opposite direction, falling 13.63 per cent from Rs 52,879 crore to Rs 45,673 crore. Their contribution to gross revenue also declined from 14.21 per cent to 11.30 per cent. Spectrum Usage Charges increased 6.12 per cent to Rs 4,040 crore, while licence fee collections grew 10.40 per cent to Rs 26,763 crore.
Access services remained the largest contributor to telecom revenues, accounting for 83.95 per cent of total Adjusted Gross Revenue. During 2025-26, the segment recorded growth of 7.32 per cent in Gross Revenue, 6.77 per cent in Applicable Gross Revenue, 10.85 per cent in Adjusted Gross Revenue, 10.84 per cent in licence fee and 6.26 per cent in Spectrum Usage Charges. Pass-through charges for the segment, however, declined 16.46 per cent.
The rapid expansion of connectivity contrasts with a more varied performance across traditional broadcasting segments. As of March 31, 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had permitted around 917 private satellite TV channels, with 908 available for downlinking in India. Among these, 342 were pay channels, including 238 SD and 104 HD channels, while 566 were free-to-air channels.
DTH services, meanwhile, continued to see a decline. India had four pay DTH operators at the end of March 2026, with their combined active pay subscriber base standing at around 49.05 million, down from 56.92 million a year earlier.
Radio advertising revenues also remained under pressure despite a slight increase in the number of operational FM stations. Private FM radio channels increased from 388 across 113 cities in March 2025 to 390 across 120 cities in March 2026. However, reported advertising revenue declined from Rs 1,818.71 crore to Rs 1,616.42 crore.
Community radio recorded growth during the same period, with the number of operational stations reaching 564 by March 2026, compared with 531 a year earlier.
Overall, TRAI’s data highlights the growing importance of data-driven connectivity in India’s communications sector. The country’s more than 1.09 billion internet subscribers, average monthly wireless data usage of 25.51 GB and annual wireless data traffic of 2,85,376 petabytes demonstrate the continued expansion of digital consumption. At the same time, the differing performance of telecom services, DTH and radio reflects the broader transformation taking place across India’s communications ecosystem.
