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India’s Broadband Subscriber Base Crosses 989 Million, 5G and Wireless Growth Drives Uptick

New Delhi, October 7, 2025: India’s broadband network continued its steady expansion, reaching 989.58 million subscribers at the end of August, up from 984.69 million...

Oct 7
2 min read
India’s Broadband Subscriber Base Crosses 989 Million, 5G and Wireless Growth Drives Uptick

New Delhi, October 7, 2025: India’s broadband network continued its steady expansion, reaching 989.58 million subscribers at the end of August, up from 984.69 million in July, registering a monthly growth rate of 0.50%, according to the latest data released by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Monday.

Fixed Wireless Broadband Leads Growth

The increase was largely driven by fixed wireless broadband services, which include 5G, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Max. This segment experienced a robust 29.7% month-on-month jump, rising to 11.40 million subscribers from 8.79 million in July.

In contrast, fixed wire access services—such as traditional fiber and DSL connections—saw a slight decline of 3.13%, decreasing to 44.07 million subscribers from 45.49 million.

Mobile Wireless Subscribers Show Steady Uptick

The largest segment, mobile wireless broadband users, continued to expand modestly, reaching 934.11 million at the end of August, up from 930.41 million in July. This reflects ongoing demand for mobile internet services, driven by increased smartphone penetration and affordable data plans.

Market Share: Reliance Jio Dominates

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd retained its dominant position in the broadband market with 501.31 million subscribers, comprising both wired and wireless connections. Other leading providers include:

  • Bharti Airtel: 309.22 million subscribers

  • Vodafone Idea: 127.48 million

  • Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL): 34.31 million

  • Atria Convergence Technologies: 2.35 million

“The growth in fixed wireless broadband highlights India’s increasing adoption of 5G and high-speed wireless solutions,” noted telecom analyst Rohan Mehta, adding that the slight dip in fixed wire access subscriptions is consistent with a global trend of users moving toward more flexible, mobile-friendly broadband options.

Implications and Outlook

With the nationwide rollout of 5G and Wi-Fi expansion continuing to accelerate, broadband penetration in India is expected to grow further in the coming months. Analysts predict that the trend will favor wireless and hybrid broadband solutions, while traditional wired networks may see slower growth or consolidation.

The government’s focus on improving connectivity in rural and semi-urban areas, coupled with competitive pricing from telecom operators, is expected to sustain India’s broadband expansion momentum through 2026 and beyond.