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India's Internet Users Cross 1.02 Billion Mark, Broadband Sees Strong Growth

India's total internet subscriber base grew by 1.06% quarter-on-quarter to reach 1.028 billion by the end of December 2025. The broadband subscriber base saw stronger growth of 1.18%, now accounting for over 1 billion users, while the narrowband base declined. The monthly Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for wireless services increased to Rs 194.57, showing a 1.87% quarterly and 7.03% yearly growth. Overall telephone subscriptions also saw significant growth, with tele-density rising to 91.74% across the country.

Key Points: India Internet Subscribers Grow to 1.02 Billion: TRAI Data

  • Internet subscribers hit 1.028 billion
  • Broadband base crosses 1 billion users
  • Wireless ARPU rises to Rs 194.57
  • Overall tele-density jumps to 91.74%
2 min read

Internet subscribers in India grew 1.1% in October-December 2025 quarter: TRAI

India's internet subscriber base grew 1.1% to 1.028 billion in Q3 FY25. Broadband users now exceed 1 billion, while wireless ARPU also increased.

"The broadband Internet subscriber base increased by 1.18 per cent - TRAI data"

New Delhi, March 4

The total number of internet subscribers in India increased from 1017.81 million at the end of September 2025 quarter to 1028.61 million at the end of December 2025, registering a quarterly rate of growth 1.06 per cent, according to telecom regulator TRAI data.

Out of 1,028.61 million internet subscribers, number of Wired Internet subscribers are 45.32 million and number of Wireless Internet subscribers are 983.29 million.

The Internet subscriber base is comprised of Broadband Internet subscriber base of 1007.35 million and Narrowband Internet subscriber base of 21.25 million.

The broadband Internet subscriber base increased by 1.18 per cent from 995.63 million at the end of September 2025 to 1007.35 million at the end of December 2025.

The narrowband Internet subscriber base decreased by 4.18 per cent from 22.18 million at the end of September 2025 to 21.25 million at the end of December 2025, TRAI data showed.

Wireline subscribers inreased from 46.61 million at the end of September to 47.37 million at the end of December with a quarterly rate of growth 1.62 per cent. On a year-on-year basis, wireline subscriptions increased by 20.63 per cent at the end of QE December 2025.

Wireline Tele-density increased from 3.29 per cent at the end of September to 3.33 per cent at the end of December 2025 with quarterly rate of growth 1.23 per cent.

Monthly Average Revenue per User (ARPU) for wireless service increased by 1.87 per cent, from Rs.190.99 in QE September to Rs 194.57 in QE December 2025.

On a year-on-year basis, monthly ARPU for wireless service increased by 7.03 per cent in this quarter.

The ARPU per month for the pre-paid segment is Rs 194.12 and the ARPU per month for the post-paid segment is Rs 199.05 for Q.E. December 2025.

The number of total telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,228.94 million to 1,306.14 million during the quarter, registering a rate of growth 6.28 per cent. This reflects year-on-year rate of growth 9.77 per cent over the same quarter of the last year. The overall Tele-density in India increased from 86.65 per cent to 91.74 per cent in QE December 2025.

TRAI has on Tuesday released the "Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report" for the Quarter ending December, 2025.

This Report provides a broad perspective of the Telecom Services in India and presents the key parameters and growth trends of the Telecom Services as well as Cable TV, DTH and Radio Broadcasting services in India for the December 2025 quarter, compiled mainly on the basis of information furnished by the Service Providers.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The 20% YoY growth in wireline subscriptions is the real story here! With WFH and online education becoming permanent, people are finally investing in stable home broadband. Fiber connections are the future. 🚀
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Priya S
Over 1 billion internet users! That's almost the size of our population. It shows how deeply digital India has become. From paying bills to ordering groceries, everything is online now. Proud moment for Digital India initiative. 🇮🇳
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Rohit P
The quarterly growth seems small, but on such a massive base, adding ~11 million new subscribers in 3 months is huge! Most of my relatives in the village now have smartphones and use WhatsApp video calls. Connectivity is changing lives.
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Michael C
Interesting data. The decline in narrowband users is expected as everyone upgrades. But I'm curious about the quality of service. More subscribers is good, but are the networks robust enough to handle the load without constant drops?
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Kavya N
The ARPU for postpaid is only slightly higher than prepaid now? That's a shift. Used to be a big gap. Shows how competitive prepaid plans have become with data rollovers and OTT benefits. As a prepaid user, I'm not complaining! 😊

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