The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the annual report titled “The Indian Telecom Services – Yearly Performance Indicators” for 2024–25. Covering data from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025, the report offers a comprehensive overview of telecom services including mobile, broadband, cable TV, DTH, and radio broadcasting. With continued growth in digital connectivity and data usage across urban and rural India, the report highlights key metrics such as total subscribers, data usage, average revenue, and tele-density.
Key Telecom Growth Indicators
India recorded 969.10 million internet subscribers by the end of March 2025, marking a 1.54% year-on-year growth. Broadband users grew 2.17% while narrowband users declined by 17.66%. Monthly ARPU for wireless rose by 16.89%, reflecting increased consumer spending on mobile data.
| Indicator | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Internet Subscribers | 954.40 million | 969.10 million | 1.54% |
| Broadband Subscribers | 924.07 million | 944.12 million | 2.17% |
| Narrowband Subscribers | 30.34 million | 24.98 million | -17.66% |
| Wireless ARPU (per month) | Rs. 149.25 | Rs. 174.46 | 16.89% |
Wireless & Wireline Subscriber Trends
While total wireless subscribers slightly decreased to 1,163.76 million, wireline subscribers saw a strong 9.62% growth. The overall tele-density declined marginally to 85.04%, though wireline tele-density increased, especially in rural areas.
| Category | Mar 2024 | Mar 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Telephone Subscribers | 1,199.28 M | 1,200.80 M | +0.13% |
| Wireless (Mobile+5G FWA) | 1,165.49 M | 1,163.76 M | -0.15% |
| Wireline Subscribers | 33.79 M | 37.04 M | +9.62% |
Data Usage and Revenue
India’s data consumption continues to grow rapidly. The total wireless data volume increased by 17.46% to reach 2,28,779 PB. The sector generated Rs. 2,15,078 crore in wireless data revenue, up 15.49% from the previous year.
| Parameter | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Data Usage | 1,94,774 PB | 2,28,779 PB | 17.46% |
| Wireless Data Revenue | Rs. 1,86,226 Cr | Rs. 2,15,078 Cr | 15.49% |
| Average Monthly Usage / Subscriber | — | 21.53 GB | — |
| Revenue per GB | — | Rs. 8.97 | — |
Broadcasting & Cable Insights
India had 918 satellite TV channels permitted by MIB as of March 2025. Of these, 333 are pay TV channels. The Pay DTH subscriber base fell from 61.97 million to 56.92 million, indicating a shift in viewing preferences. Additionally, 531 community radio stations are now operational—a significant increase from 494 the previous year.
Helpful Takeaway
This yearly performance report by TRAI is valuable not just for telecom companies, but also for consumers, investors, and policy makers. It helps users understand where the industry is heading, how services are evolving, and how rural vs urban usage is shifting. With growing broadband penetration, stable revenue growth, and increased data consumption, India’s telecom landscape continues to expand, especially in digital rural empowerment.
