Internet subscribers reach 936.16 million in India, TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its “Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report” for the quarter ending December 31, 2023.

The report highlights a notable increase in the total number of internet subscribers, reaching 936.16 million by the end of December 2023, marking a quarterly growth rate of 1.96 percent. Wired internet subscribers accounted for 38.57 million, while wireless internet subscribers totaled 897.59 million.

Broadband internet subscriptions witnessed a significant rise, reaching 904.54 million, indicating a quarterly growth rate of 2.21 percent. In contrast, narrowband internet subscriptions decreased to 31.62 million during the same period.

The number of wireline subscribers saw growth, reaching 31.84 million by the end of December 2023, with a quarterly growth rate of 2.79 percent. Wireline teledensity also increased from 2.22 percent to 2.28 percent during the quarter.

The telecom sector’s financial indicators displayed positive momentum, with gross revenue (GR), applicable gross revenue (ApGR), and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) reaching Rs. 84,500 Crore, Rs. 81,101 Crore, and Rs. 67,835 Crore respectively for the quarter. This represents quarterly growth rates of 2.13 percent, 1.70 percent, and 1.88 percent respectively.

Monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for wireless services increased to Rs. 152.55, with prepaid ARPU rising to Rs. 149.56 and postpaid ARPU to Rs. 189.08. Additionally, the overall minutes of usage (MoU) per subscriber per month increased to 955 for wireless services.

Reliance Jio holds the top position with 50.23 percent of the market share of internet subscribers followed by Bharti Airtel Ltd with 30.24 percent at the quarter ended December 2023. Vodafone Idea Ltd held the third position with respect to the internet subscriber base with a market share of 14.68 percent.

The overall teledensity in India increased from 84.76 percent to 85.23 percent in the December quarter.

Telephone subscribers in urban areas increased from 658.46 million to 662.56 million while in rural areas, telephone subscribers increased from 522.66 million to 527.77 million.

Pay DTH (direct to home) has attained a total active subscriber base of around 63.52 million. This is in addition to the subscribers of the DD Free Dish (free DTH services of Doordarshan).

The total active subscriber base of Pay DTH services experienced a decline of 1.03 percent, dropping to 63.52 million in December 2023 from 64.18 million in September 2023. In terms of market share, Tata Play’s share was 32.71 percent for the quarter. Bharti Telemedia’s (Airtel DTH) market share was 27.76 percent, Dish TV had 20.81 percent market share during the quarter and Sun TV Direct TV had 18.72 percent market share.

There were 998 MSOs registered with MIB. As per the data reported by MSOs and HITS operators, as of December 2023, there are 11 MSOs & 1 HITS operator who have a subscriber base greater than 1 million. GTPL Hathway had the highest subscriber base of over 8 million subscribers.

For report, https://www.communicationstoday.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PR_No.20of2024.pdf

CT Bureau