New Delhi, April 23, 2026: India’s total broadband subscriber base increased from 1,059.05 million at the end of February to 1,065.88 million at the end of March 2026, reflecting sustained growth in internet adoption across the country.
The rise highlights increasing demand for digital services, driven by expanding connectivity in both urban and rural regions.
During the month, mobile number portability (MNP) activity remained robust, with 14.63 million users submitting requests to switch telecom operators, indicating heightened competition and consumer choice in the sector.
The number of active wireless subscribers, based on peak VLR data, stood at 1,185.60 million.
The wireline segment recorded modest growth, with subscribers increasing from 47.99 million in February to 48.25 million in March, registering a monthly growth rate of 0.53 per cent. Wireline tele-density rose slightly to 3.38 per cent, with urban areas accounting for over 89 per cent of users, while rural areas contributed just over 10 per cent.
Public sector companies such as BSNL, MTNL and APSFL together held nearly 19 per cent of the wireline market.
Wireless services continued to dominate India’s telecom landscape. Total wireless subscribers, including mobile and fixed wireless access (FWA), rose from 1,273.31 million to 1,282.33 million in March, marking a growth rate of 0.71 per cent. Growth was recorded in both urban and rural areas, with rural regions expanding slightly faster.
Overall wireless tele-density improved to 89.88 per cent. Urban tele-density remained significantly higher at over 143 per cent, while rural tele-density reached nearly 60 per cent, indicating improving connectivity penetration.
Mobile subscribers alone increased from 1,257.29 million to 1,265.73 million during the month, with mobile tele-density rising to 88.71 per cent.
Private telecom operators continued to dominate the wireless market with over 92 per cent share, while public sector providers accounted for around 7.36 per cent.
The 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) segment also saw steady growth, with subscriber numbers rising from 11.93 million in February to 12.32 million in March 2026.
