Summary:
India’s internet subscriber base rose to 1.114 billion in the April–June 2026 quarter, while wireless mobile data consumption increased 8.3%, according to TRAI’s latest performance report released on October 12. Average monthly data usage per wireless subscriber grew to 28.39 GB, while revenue per GB declined and average revenue per user rose to Rs 187.12. The country’s total telephone subscriber base reached 1.348 billion, supported by growth in wireless connections and telecom revenues. However, wireline subscriptions, paid DTH connections and private FM radio advertising revenue declined, highlighting mixed performance across India’s communications and broadcasting sectors.
India’s demand for internet connectivity and mobile data continues to expand, with the latest telecom statistics highlighting the country’s growing digital engagement. Internet subscriptions reached 1,114.17 million during the April–June 2026 quarter, while overall mobile data consumption increased by 8.30%, according to the latest performance indicator report released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Published on October 12, the report examines the performance of India’s telecommunications, cable television, direct-to-home (DTH) and radio broadcasting industries for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. The internet subscriber base expanded by 1.96% from 1,092.79 million at the end of March. This included 47.73 million wired connections and 1,066.43 million wireless subscriptions.
Broadband subscriptions continued to account for the majority of internet connections, growing 2.03% to 1,087.50 million. Meanwhile, narrowband subscriptions declined by 0.89% to 26.67 million.
Alongside the rise in connectivity, data consumption also increased. Wireless mobile data traffic grew from 77,953 petabytes (PB) in the March quarter to 84,424 PB in the June quarter. Average monthly data consumption per wireless subscriber climbed 6.32%, rising from 26.70 GB to 28.39 GB.
Meanwhile, the average cost of mobile data fell during the quarter. Revenue earned per gigabyte declined by 5.07%, from Rs 7.51 to Rs 7.13.
Revenue generated per wireless subscriber followed a different trend. Average monthly revenue per user (ARPU) rose 1.19% to Rs 187.12, compared with Rs 184.91 in the preceding quarter, representing a 3.11% annual increase. Pre-paid subscribers generated an average monthly ARPU of Rs 200.72, whereas the figure for post-paid users stood at Rs 114.26.
Average monthly voice usage per wireless subscriber decreased 2.65% to 933 minutes. Pre-paid customers recorded an average of 1,055 minutes per month, while post-paid subscribers averaged 279 minutes.
The telecom sector also registered growth across key financial indicators. Gross revenue totalled Rs 1,06,797 crore, applicable gross revenue reached Rs 1,01,036 crore, and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) stood at Rs 88,796 crore. On a quarterly basis, these measures increased by 1.60%, 2.43% and 2.40%, respectively. Their year-on-year growth rates were 10.50%, 9.52% and 9.19%, respectively.
Access services contributed 83.85% of the industry’s total AGR, demonstrating the substantial role of connectivity services in telecom operators’ earnings.
India’s overall telephone subscriber base reached 1,348.08 million by the end of June, an increase of 1.31% from 1,330.58 million in March. Annual growth stood at 10.65%, while overall tele-density improved from 93.26% to 94.31%.
Wireless connections, covering mobile services and fixed wireless access (FWA), recorded a net addition of 17.92 million subscribers, taking the total to 1,300.25 million, up 1.40% during the quarter. Mobile subscriptions alone increased by 16.66 million to reach 1,282.38 million, marking growth of 1.32%.
Urban telephone subscriptions rose from 778.79 million to 792.06 million, lifting urban tele-density from 151.47% to 153.43%. Rural connections also increased, moving from 551.79 million to 556.01 million, while rural tele-density improved from 60.46% to 60.89%.
Despite the increase in rural subscriptions, their proportion of the country’s total telephone connections declined from 41.47% in March to 41.24% in June. Wireline connections continued to contract on a quarterly basis, falling 0.88% to 47.82 million, although the segment recorded annual growth of 0.71%.
Private telecom operators maintained their dominant position, accounting for 92.50% of all telephone subscriptions. Public sector operators held the remaining 7.50%.
Outside the telecommunications segment, the report showed declines in paid DTH television subscriptions and private FM radio advertising earnings.
India’s four pay DTH operators had 48.56 million active subscribers at the end of June, compared with 49.09 million at the end of March. These figures do not include users of Prasar Bharati’s free DD Free Dish service.
Of the 915 private satellite television channels authorised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, 906 were available for downlinking in India. Broadcasters reported 342 paid channels, including 238 standard-definition and 104 high-definition services. The other 566 channels were classified as free-to-air.
Advertising revenue for private FM radio declined to Rs 376.16 crore in the June quarter from Rs 414.03 crore in the preceding quarter. The latest figure covered 391 private FM channels, compared with 390 in the March quarter.
At the end of June, 386 private FM radio channels were operational across 121 cities, run by 30 companies. During the quarter, permissions for five channels were surrendered with effect from June 14, while HT Media introduced a new channel in Moradabad from April 19. India also had 578 operational community radio stations at the end of the quarter.
Overall, the figures present contrasting trends across the communications sector. Internet subscriptions, mobile data consumption and telecom revenues continued to rise, while wireline connections, paid DTH subscriptions and private FM advertising earnings declined during the quarter. The industry’s challenge will be to convert increasing demand for digital connectivity into lasting revenue growth while adapting to evolving consumer preferences.
