India adds 64 million internet users as telecom sector gains pace

MUMBAI: India’s telecom story is dialling up another milestone. From internet adoption to mobile connectivity, the numbers suggest the country’s digital engine is running faster than ever. India added more than 64 million internet subscribers in the first quarter of 2026, pushing the total user base to 1.09 billion, according to the latest Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The report highlights sustained growth across internet services, mobile connectivity and telecom revenues between January and March 2026.

The total number of internet subscribers rose from 1,028.61 million in December 2025 to 1,092.79 million by March 2026, marking a 6.24 per cent quarterly increase. Of this, 1,046.26 million users accessed the internet through wireless networks, while 46.54 million were wired subscribers.

Broadband continued to dominate India’s internet landscape, with the subscriber base climbing 5.81 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 1,065.88 million. Narrowband subscriptions posted even faster growth, rising 26.62 per cent to 26.91 million.

The country’s overall telecom subscriber base also expanded steadily. Total telephone connections increased from 1.31 billion to 1.33 billion, reflecting a 1.87 per cent quarterly rise and a robust 10.81 per cent year-on-year growth. Tele-density improved from 91.74 per cent to 93.26 per cent, underlining the continued spread of connectivity across the country.

Wireless services remained the primary growth driver. The total wireless subscriber base, including mobile and fixed wireless access (FWA), grew by 23.56 million users during the quarter to reach 1.28 billion. Mobile-only subscriptions stood at 1.27 billion, while 5G and UBR fixed wireless access connections reached 16.61 million.

Rural India continued to play a significant role in the expansion story. Rural telephone subscriptions increased to 551.79 million, while rural tele-density improved from 59.63 per cent to 60.46 per cent. Internet penetration in rural markets reached 48.31 subscribers per 100 people, compared with 126.80 subscribers per 100 people in urban India.

The sector’s financial performance also strengthened. Telecom operators generated Rs 1,05,118 crore in gross revenue during the quarter, up 2.58 per cent from the previous quarter. Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) rose 2.90 per cent to Rs 86,716 crore, while licence fee collections increased 3.02 per cent to Rs 6,936 crore.

Consumers continued to spend slightly more on mobile services. Monthly wireless ARPU increased from Rs 194.57 to Rs 196.04, while average monthly usage edged up to 1,017 minutes per subscriber. Wireless data consumption remained strong, with average monthly usage touching 26.7 GB per subscriber.

Beyond telecom, the report offered a snapshot of India’s broadcasting landscape. The country now has 917 permitted private satellite television channels, including 342 pay TV channels, while active pay DTH subscribers declined to 49.05 million. Private FM radio expanded to 390 operational channels across 120 cities, and 564 community radio stations were active as of March 2026.

Taken together, the figures paint a picture of a communications sector that continues to expand in both scale and reach. With internet adoption crossing the billion-user mark and mobile connectivity approaching saturation in urban markets, the next phase of growth is likely to be shaped by deeper rural penetration, 5G adoption and increasing data consumption.