What is the latest on telephone subscribers in India?
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Synopsis
In the latest update from the telecom sector, India sees a significant surge in telephone subscribers, reaching over 1.2 billion. This growth is indicative of the increasing reliance on mobile connectivity across urban and rural areas. Discover the latest statistics and trends shaping this dynamic industry.
Key Takeaways
- Total telephone subscribers in India reached 1,203.84 million.
- Urban subscriptions grew to 667.19 million.
- Rural subscriptions increased to 536.65 million.
- Total wireless subscribers rose to 1,166.43 million.
- Private service providers control 92.08 percent of the market.
New Delhi, May 29 (NationPress) The total number of telephone subscribers in India rose from 1,200.80 million at the close of March to 1,203.84 million in April, reflecting a monthly growth rate of 0.25 percent, according to the telecom subscription data released by the government on Thursday.
Urban telephone subscriptions grew from 666.11 million at the end of March to 667.19 million by the end of April, while rural subscriptions also saw an increase from 534.69 million to 536.65 million over the same timeframe.
The monthly growth rates for urban and rural telephone subscriptions stood at 0.16 percent and 0.37 percent, respectively, as reported by the Ministry of Communications.
In addition, the total number of wireless subscribers (mobile + 5G FWA) rose from 1,163.76 million to 1,166.43 million in April, marking a monthly growth rate of 0.23 percent.
The data also revealed that wireless subscription in urban regions increased from 632.57 million to 633.29 million, while rural subscriptions grew from 531.18 million to 533.14 million during the same period.
The monthly growth rate for urban and rural wireless subscriptions was 0.11 percent and 0.37 percent, respectively.
Overall tele-density improved from 85.04 percent at the end of March to 85.19 percent by the end of April.
Urban tele-density rose from 131.45 percent at the end of March to 131.46 percent in April, while rural tele-density increased from 59.06 percent to 59.26 percent during the same period.
As of April 30, private access service providers controlled 92.08 percent of the wireless (mobile) subscriber market, whereas BSNL and MTNL, the two public sector undertakings, held only 7.92 percent of the market share, according to the data.
Bharti Airtel Limited leads in machine-to-machine (M2M) cellular mobile connections with 37.28 million connections and a market share of 53.35 percent, followed closely by Vodafone Idea Limited.
In April, a total of 13.48 million subscribers applied for mobile number portability (MNP).
Point of View
The steady growth in telephone subscribers reflects India's expanding digital landscape. It underscores the increasing demand for connectivity, both in urban and rural regions. The data indicates that private service providers are thriving, which may prompt public sector companies to innovate and improve their services. NationPress remains committed to keeping readers informed on developments that shape our communication infrastructure.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total number of telephone subscribers in India as of April?
As of April, the total number of telephone subscribers in India reached 1,203.84 million.
How much did urban and rural subscriptions grow?
Urban subscriptions increased to 667.19 million and rural subscriptions rose to 536.65 million.
What was the market share of private vs. public sector service providers?
Private service providers held 92.08 percent of the market share while BSNL and MTNL had 7.92 percent.
How many subscribers requested mobile number portability in April?
In April, 13.48 million subscribers submitted requests for mobile number portability.
What is the significance of the growth rates reported?
The growth rates of 0.25 percent reflect the increasing reliance on mobile connectivity in both urban and rural areas.
