India Telecoms Market Report

Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Publication Date: June 2026

Report Pages: 220

Analyst: Henry Lancaster

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Summary
Table Of Contents

India’s recent spectrum auctions spur 5G development nationally

India’s telecommunications sector has been supported by government efforts to bolster the underlying fixed-line and mobile infrastructure in a bid to achieve universal coverage. The 2023 Telecommunications Act has gone far to update protocols and measures which facilitate access for telcos to ducts and other telecom assets, and has removed many of the obstructions to installing infrastructure such as cabling and mobile towers. Nevertheless, the relatively liberal regulatory environment has encouraged fierce competition, and while the resulting price wars amongst the operators has driven end-user costs many telcos were driven to the wall, leaving a relatively small number of major players.

The state-owned and private operators over the last few years have been forced to seek redress from the government to avoid bankruptcy. They remain burdened by the substantial sums owned in the form of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues – usage and licensing fees charged by the Department of Telecommunications) – that have been the subject of long-standing court battles over what should be counted as revenue. The government increased its equity in Vodafone Idea to 48.99% as part of a process by which the cash-strapped telco could settle part of its AGR debt.

Having deferred spectrum auctions in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the DoT auctioned spectrum in 2022 and again in June 2024. Although a significant proportion of spectrum remained unsold, and will likely be auctioned in 2026, that secured by the main operators has enabled them to widen the reach of their LTE networks and to launch extensive 5G services.

Key Developments

Private 5G networks making strong inroads across India.
Reliance Industries announces plans to list a 5% stake in Jio, potentially in mid-2026 and raising up to $6 billion.
BSNL completes 5G trials preparatory to launching commercial services expected by the end of the year.
Starlink secures some regulatory approvals ahead of its launch of satellite broadband services in India.
Regulator caps access price of public Wi-Fi to encourage its take-up by users.
Vodafone Idea and AST SpaceMobile partner to provide satellite mobile broadband connectivity to topographically difficult regions.
BSNL signs contracts to expand its 5G networks.
Report update includes the regulator’s market data to August 2025, operator data for Q2 FY2026, recent market developments.

Key companies mentioned in this report:

Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices, Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL), Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL), Reliance Jio, Quadrant

Key statistics
Regional Asia market comparison

Market characteristics
Market Leaders
Market Challengers
Market Emergents
TMI vs GDP
Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration

Telecommunications market

National Digital Communications Policy-2018

Regulatory environment

Telecommunications reform
Regulatory authorities

Ministry for Communications (MoC)
Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
Digital Communications Commission (DCC)
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
Telecom Dispute Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)
Communications Commission of India (CCI)
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

Fixed-line developments

Licensing circles
Licensing – VNOs
Net Neutrality
Interconnect
Fibre access

Mobile network developments

Spectrum
Mobile subscriber verification
Interconnection
Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

Mobile market

Urban versus rural divide
Mobile infrastructure

5G
4G/LTE
CDMA
Other infrastructure developments
Mobile broadband
Satellite mobile

Major mobile operators

Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL)
Bharti Airtel
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL)
Vodafone Idea
Quadrant
Reliance Communications (RCOM)
Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio)
Tata Teleservices (TTSL)
Reach Mobile
MVNOs

Fixed-line broadband market

National Broadband Plan
Fixed broadband ISPs

Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL)
Bharti Airtel
Hughes Telecom
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL)
Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT)
Vodafone Idea
Reliance Jio

Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) networks
Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) networks
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks
Other fixed broadband services

Wi-Fi
Satellite broadband

Digital economy

e-Payments

Fixed network market

Major network operators
BSNL
Bharti Airtel
MTNL
Quadrant
Reliance Communications
Tata Teleservices
Vodafone Idea

Telecommunications infrastructure

National telecom network

Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
BharatNet / National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN)
Public Call Offices (PCOs)

International infrastructure

Submarine cable networks
Satellite networks

Data centres
Smart infrastructure

Glossary of abbreviations
Related reports

List of Tables

Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities – India – 2026 (e)
Table 2 – Change in telecom sector gross revenue – 2020 – 2025
Table 3 – Change in the number of mobile numbers ported (million) – 2011 – 2024
Table 4 – Increase in the number of smartphones by technology (million) – 2018 – 2024
Table 5 – Change in mobile ARPU (contract, prepaid, blended) (Rs / month) – 2017 – 2025
Table 6 – Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration – 2013 – 2028
Table 7 – Change in mobile penetration in urban and rural areas – 2012 – 2025
Table 8 – Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers, penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 9 – Increase in average data use per subscriber – 2015 – 2027
Table 10 – Decline in the cost of mobile data per GB – 2014 – 2024
Table 11 – Change in the mobile market share of subscribers (major MNOs) – 2012 – 2025
Table 12 – Change in the number of BSNL’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 13 – Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 14 – Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s mobile broadband subscribers (million) – 2017 – 2025
Table 15 – Change in Bharti Airtel’s mobile ARPU – 2012 – 2025
Table 16 – Change in the number of MTNL’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 17 – Growth in the number of Vodafone Idea’s mobile subscribers (company data, (million) – 2012 – 2025
Table 18 – Change in Vodafone Idea mobile blended ARPU – 2012 – 2025
Table 19 – Decline in the number of RCOM’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 20 – Growth in the number of Reliance Jio’s mobile subscribers – 2016 – 2025
Table 21 – Change in Reliance Jio’s mobile ARPU – 2017 – 2025
Table 22 – Development of Reliance Jio’s financial data (Rs billion) – 2016 – 2025
Table 23 – Decline in the number of Tata Teleservices’ mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2018
Table 24 – Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2013 – 2028
Table 25 – Change in the number of fixed and wireless broadband subscribers by operator – 2022 – 2025
Table 26 – Change in the number of BSNL’s broadband subscribers by type (million)– 2022 – 2024
Table 27 – Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2017 – 2025
Table 28 – Growth in the number of fibre broadband subscribers – 2012 – 2019
Table 29 – Growth in the number of cable modem subscribers – 2012 – 2019
Table 30 – Change in the number of DSL subscribers – 2012 – 2019
Table 31 – Growth in the number of fixed wireless broadband subscribers – 2022 – 2025
Table 32 – Market share of fixed-lines in service by main provider – 2012 – 2025
Table 33 – Change in the number of BSNL’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 34 – Decline in BSNL’s financial data (Rs billion) – 2012 – 2025
Table 35 – Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 36 – Change in Bharti Airtel financial data (Rs billion) – 2012 – 2026
Table 37 – Decline in the number of MTNL’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 38 – Change in MTNL’s financial data (Rs billion) – 2014 – 2025
Table 39 – Change in the number of Quadrant’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 40 – Decline in the number of Reliance Communication’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 41 – Decline in Reliance Communication’s financial data (Rs billion) – 2012 – 2026
Table 42 – Growth in the number of Tata’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 43 – Growth in Tata Communication group financial data (Rs billion) – 2016 - 2026
Table 44 – Growth in the number of Vodafone Idea’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Table 45 – Development of Vodafone Idea’s financial data (Rs billion) – 2012 – 2026
Table 46 – Change in the number of fixed-line subscribers and penetration – 2013 – 2028
Table 47 – Decline in the number of PCOs in operation – 2012 – 2025
Table 48 – Growth in international internet bandwidth – 2012 – 2024
Table 49 – Historic - Mobile subscribers (GSM and CDMA) (million) – 2002 – 2017
Table 50 – Historic - Vodafone Idea - mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2011
Table 51 – Historic - Vodafone - mobile ARPU – 2008 – 2018
Table 52 – Historic - Vodafone mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2017
Table 53 – Historic - Reliance mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2011
Table 54 – Historic - MTNL mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2011
Table 55 – Historic - Bharti Airtel mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2011
Table 56 – Historic - Tata Teleservices mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2011
Table 57 – Historic - BSNL mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2011
Table 58 – Historic - Bharti Airtel mobile ARPU – 2005 – 2011
Table 59 – Historic - Quadrant mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2016
Table 60 – Historic - Sistema mobile subscribers – 2008 – 2016
Table 61 – Historic - Telenor mobile subscribers – 2009 – 2017
Table 62 – Historic - Aircel mobile subscribers – 2004 – 2018
Table 63 – Historic - Reliance mobile ARPU – 2008 – 2017
Table 64 – Historic - Mobile ARPU (GSM and CDMA) (? / month) – 2005 – 2013
Table 65 – Historic - Dial-up internet subscribers – 2007 – 2012
Table 66 – Historic - International internet bandwidth – 2000 – 2011
Table 67 – Historic - Number of licensed ISPs – 2002 – 2013
Table 68 – Historic - Cable modem subscribers – 2001 – 2011
Table 69 – Historic - DSL subscribers – 2001 – 2011
Table 70 – Historic - Reliance communication fixed-line subscribers – 2005 – 2011
Table 71 – Historic - Sistema fixed-line subscribers – 2010 – 2017
Table 72 – Historic - Videocon mobile subscribers – 2010 – 2015
Table 73 – Historic - Fixed-line subscribers and teledensity – 1995 – 2005
Table 74 – Historic - Change in mobile annualized ARPU (GSM and CDMA) (? / month) – 2014 – 2018
Table 75 – Historic - Development of internet penetration – 2008 – 2011
Table 76 – Historic - Decline in the number of BSNL’s fixed-line subscribers – 2008 – 2011
Table 77 – Historic - Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s fixed-line subscribers – 2008 – 2011
Table 78 – Historic - Decline in the number of PCOs in operation – 2008 – 2011

List of Charts

Chart 1 – Asia Telecoms Maturity Index – Market Leaders
Chart 2 – Asia Telecoms Maturity Index – Market Challengers
Chart 3 – Asia Telecoms Maturity Index – Market Emergents
Chart 4 – Asia – Telecoms Maturity Index vs GDP per capita
Chart 5 – Asia – Mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 6 – Central Asia – Mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 7 – Central Asia – Fixed and mobile broadband penetration
Chart 8 – Change in mobile ARPU (contract, prepaid, blended) – 2017 – 2025
Chart 9 – Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration – 2013 – 2028
Chart 10 – Change in mobile penetration in urban and rural areas – 2012 – 2025
Chart 11 – Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers, penetration – 2013 – 2028
Chart 12 – Change in the mobile market share of subscribers (major MNOs) – 2013 – 2025
Chart 13 – Change in the number of BSNL’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 14 – Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 15 – Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s mobile broadband subscribers – 2017 – 2025
Chart 16 – Change in Bharti Airtel’s mobile ARPU – 2012 – 2025
Chart 17 – Change in the number of MTNL’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 18 – Growth in the number of Vodafone Idea’s mobile subscribers (company data) – 2012 – 2025
Chart 19 – Change in Vodafone Idea mobile ARPU – 2012 – 2025
Chart 20 – Decline in the number of RCOM’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 21 – Growth in the number of Reliance Jio’s mobile subscribers – 2016 – 2025
Chart 22 – Change in Reliance Jio’s mobile ARPU – 2017 – 2025
Chart 23 – Development of Reliance Jio’s financial data – 2016 – 2025
Chart 24 – Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2013 – 2028
Chart 25 – Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2017 – 2025
Chart 26 – Growth in the number of fibre broadband subscribers – 2012 – 2019
Chart 27 – Growth in the number of cable modem subscribers – 2012 – 2019
Chart 28 – Change in the number of DSL subscribers – 2012 – 2019
Chart 29 – Change in the number of BSNL’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 30 – Decline in BSNL’s financial data – 2012 – 2025
Chart 31 – Growth in the number of Bharti Airtel’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 32 – Change in Bharti Airtel financial data – 2016 – 2026
Chart 33 – Decline in the number of MTNL’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 34 – Change in MTNL’s financial data – 2014 – 2025
Chart 35 – Change in the number of Quadrant’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 36 – Decline in the number of Reliance Communication’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 37 – Decline in Reliance Communication’s financial data – 2012 – 2026
Chart 38 – Growth in the number of Tata’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 39 – Growth in Tata communication group financial data – 2016 – 2026
Chart 40 – Growth in the number of Vodafone Idea’s fixed-line subscribers – 2012 – 2025
Chart 41 – Development of Vodafone Idea’s financial data – 2012 – 2026
Chart 42 – Change in the number of fixed-line subscribers and penetration – 2013 – 2028
Chart 43 – Decline in the number of PCOs in operation – 2012 – 2025

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1 – Map of Telecom Maturity Index global ranking among countries in Asia
Exhibit 2 – Generalised Market Characteristics by Market Segment
Exhibit 3 – Asia – Market Leaders and market developments
Exhibit 4 – Asia – Market Challengers and market developments
Exhibit 5 – Asia – Market Emergents and market developments
Exhibit 6 – Spectrum auction results in MHz by bidder - 2024
Exhibit 7 – Spectrum auction results in value by bidder (Rs crore) - 2024
Exhibit 8 – Spectrum auction results - 2022
Exhibit 9 – Spectrum auction results - 2016
Exhibit 10 – CDMA 3G commercial deployments in India
Exhibit 11 – Major shareholders in Bharti Airtel
Exhibit 12 – International submarine cable systems with landing points in India
Exhibit 13 – ISRO satellite network

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India Telecoms Market Report

Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Purchase this Report

India’s recent spectrum auctions spur 5G development nationally

Key Developments

Key companies mentioned in this report:

Key statistics

Regional Asia market comparison

Telecommunications market

Regulatory environment

Mobile market

Fixed-line broadband market

Digital economy

Fixed network market

Telecommunications infrastructure

Glossary of abbreviations

Related reports

Purchase this Report

Share this Report

TMT Intelligence

A platform to scale your intelligence tasks

Research Methodology

Hot Topics

News & Views