The total number of broadband subscribers in India rose from 1059.05 million in February 2026 to 1065.88 million in March 2026, indicating a growing demand for internet services across urban and rural areas. During the same period, 14.63 million mobile users opted for mobile number portability, showcasing intense competition among telecom operators and expanding consumer choices. Additionally, the active wireless subscriber count, based on peak VLR data, reached 1185.60 million.
The wireline segment also experienced growth, with subscribers increasing from 47.99 million in February to 48.25 million in March 2026, reflecting a monthly growth rate of 0.53%. Urban areas continued to dominate wireline usage, constituting over 89% of the total base, while rural areas contributed just over 10%. Public sector companies like BSNL, MTNL, and APSFL collectively held around 19% of the wireline market share.
India’s telecom sector heavily relied on wireless services, with the total number of wireless subscribers, including mobile and fixed wireless access (FWA), climbing from 1273.31 million to 1282.33 million in March. This growth, at a monthly rate of 0.71%, was observed in both urban and rural regions, with rural subscriptions slightly outpacing urban ones. The overall wireless tele-density improved to 89.88%, indicating enhanced connectivity nationwide.
Mobile subscribers alone increased from 1257.29 million to 1265.73 million during March, with growth evident in both urban and rural areas. Rural regions exhibited a slightly higher growth rate. Private telecom operators maintained dominance in the wireless market, commanding over 92% share, while public sector providers held approximately 7.36%.
The 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) segment also saw steady growth, with subscribers rising from 11.93 million in February to 12.32 million in March 2026.
