India's Telephone Subscriber Base Growth Reach 1.20 Billion in April
Thursday, 29 May 2025, 15:48 IST
• India's total telephone subscriber base grew by 0.25 percent in April reaching 1.20 billion with urban subscriptions.
• Wireless subscriptions, including mobile and 5G, also saw a growth of 0.23 percent.
• Private telecom providers dominate the market with 92.08 percent share, while Bharti Airtel leads in machine-to-machine connections.
India's overall telephone subscriber count saw an increase of 0.25 percent in April, reaching 1,203.84 million, up from 1,200.80 million at the end of March, according to the most recent information from the Ministry of Communications. This growth indicates the ongoing expansion of telephone services in both urban and rural areas. Urban subscriptions experienced a slight rise from 666.11 million in March to 667.19 million by the end of April, whereas rural subscriptions grew at a somewhat higher rate of 0.37 percent, moving from 534.69 million to 536.65 million.
The wireless subscriber base, which includes mobile and 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services demonstrated an expansion of 0.23 percent, soaring from 1,163.76 million to 1,166.43 million in April. Urban wireless subscriptions observed a minor hike from 632.57 million to 633.29 million, while rural wireless subscriptions gained 0.37 percent, reaching 533.14 million.
According to the data, “As on April 30, the private access service providers held 92.08 per cent market share of the wireless mobile subscribers, whereas BSNL and MTNL, the two PSU access service providers, had a market share of only 7.92 per cent”.
The nation’s overall tele-density, which indicates the number of phone connections per 100 individuals, experienced a slight uptick moving from 85.04 percent at the end of March to 85.19 percent in April. Urban tele-density had a minor rise from 131.45 percent to 131.46 percent, and rural tele-density improved from 59.06 percent to 59.26 percent. This consistent growth in subscription figures showcases the growth of India’s telecommunication infrastructure fueled by the rising mobile and internet penetration, especially in rural and remote regions.
Therefore, Bharti Airtel Limited holds the largest number of machine-to-machine (M2M) cellular mobile connections at 37.28 million, capturing a market share of 53.35 percent, with Vodafone Idea Limited following behind.
• Wireless subscriptions, including mobile and 5G, also saw a growth of 0.23 percent.
• Private telecom providers dominate the market with 92.08 percent share, while Bharti Airtel leads in machine-to-machine connections.
India's overall telephone subscriber count saw an increase of 0.25 percent in April, reaching 1,203.84 million, up from 1,200.80 million at the end of March, according to the most recent information from the Ministry of Communications. This growth indicates the ongoing expansion of telephone services in both urban and rural areas. Urban subscriptions experienced a slight rise from 666.11 million in March to 667.19 million by the end of April, whereas rural subscriptions grew at a somewhat higher rate of 0.37 percent, moving from 534.69 million to 536.65 million.
The wireless subscriber base, which includes mobile and 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services demonstrated an expansion of 0.23 percent, soaring from 1,163.76 million to 1,166.43 million in April. Urban wireless subscriptions observed a minor hike from 632.57 million to 633.29 million, while rural wireless subscriptions gained 0.37 percent, reaching 533.14 million.
According to the data, “As on April 30, the private access service providers held 92.08 per cent market share of the wireless mobile subscribers, whereas BSNL and MTNL, the two PSU access service providers, had a market share of only 7.92 per cent”.
The nation’s overall tele-density, which indicates the number of phone connections per 100 individuals, experienced a slight uptick moving from 85.04 percent at the end of March to 85.19 percent in April. Urban tele-density had a minor rise from 131.45 percent to 131.46 percent, and rural tele-density improved from 59.06 percent to 59.26 percent. This consistent growth in subscription figures showcases the growth of India’s telecommunication infrastructure fueled by the rising mobile and internet penetration, especially in rural and remote regions.
Therefore, Bharti Airtel Limited holds the largest number of machine-to-machine (M2M) cellular mobile connections at 37.28 million, capturing a market share of 53.35 percent, with Vodafone Idea Limited following behind.
