India’s digital landscape is rapidly evolving, with the latest data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) revealing significant growth in internet and broadband subscribers. In just one year, India added 7.3 crore internet subscribers and 7.8 crore broadband subscribers, bringing the total number of telephone subscribers in the country to 119.9 crore. This surge in connectivity highlights the increasing importance of high-speed internet access in today’s digital age.
The total number of internet subscribers in India saw a notable increase from 88.1 crore in March 2023 to 95.4 crore in March 2024, representing an annual growth rate of 8.3 percent. Similarly, broadband services continued their upward trajectory, with the number of broadband subscribers rising from 84.6 crore to 92.4 crore during the same period. TRAI emphasized the significance of this robust growth rate, noting that the addition of 7.8 crore broadband subscribers underscores the growing demand for high-speed connectivity across the country.
In addition to the surge in internet and broadband subscribers, the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) also witnessed a notable increase from Rs 2,49,908 crore in the year 2022-23 to Rs 2,70,504 crore in the year 2023-24, reflecting a yearly growth rate of 8.24 percent. This growth in revenue further emphasizes the expanding digital ecosystem in India and the increasing reliance on telecommunications services.
The overall tele-density in India also saw a positive trend, increasing from 84.51 percent in March 2023 to 85.69 percent in March 2024, with an annual growth rate of 1.39 percent. This indicates a growing penetration of telecommunication services across the country, highlighting the increasing connectivity among the population.
Furthermore, the number of wireless data subscribers in India increased from 84.6 crore to 91.3 crore during the same period, with a yearly growth rate of 7.93 percent. The total volume of wireless data usage also saw a significant increase, rising from 1,60,054 PB (petabyte) in the year 2022-23 to 1,94,774 PB in the year 2023-24, reflecting a yearly growth of 21.69 percent. This surge in data usage underscores the growing demand for data services and the increasing reliance on mobile connectivity for various activities.
The telephone subscribers in India also witnessed growth, increasing from 117.2 crore in March last year to 119.9 crore in March 2024, registering a yearly growth rate of 2.3 percent. Additionally, the average minutes of usage (MOUs) per subscriber per month increased from 919 in the year 2022-23 to 963 in 2023-24, with a yearly growth rate of 4.73 percent. This indicates a higher engagement and utilization of telecommunication services among subscribers in the country.
Overall, the latest data from TRAI paints a picture of a rapidly evolving digital landscape in India, with significant growth in internet and broadband subscribers, wireless data usage, and telephone subscribers. The increasing connectivity and reliance on telecommunications services highlight the importance of high-speed internet access in driving digital transformation and economic growth in the country. As India continues to embrace the digital age, the telecommunications sector is poised for further expansion and innovation to meet the growing demands of a connected population.