India has achieved a historic digital milestone as its broadband subscriber base crossed 100 crore (1 billion) in November 2025, according to Ministry of Communications.
This places India among the largest broadband markets globally and marks a decisive leap in digital inclusion.
Key Highlights
- Broadband subscribers: Crossed 100 crore in November 2025.
- Ten-year growth: Broadband base increased over six times in a decade.
- 2015 (Nov): 13.15 crore subscribers.
- 2025 (Nov): 100.37 crore subscribers.
- Reflects rapid expansion of India’s digital ecosystem, transforming communication, education, commerce, governance, and service delivery.
A Decade of Explosive Growth
- November 2015: 13.15 crore (131.49 million) broadband subscribers.
- November 2025: 100.37 crore (~1 billion) broadband subscribers.
This growth highlights broadband as a foundational pillar of modern India, enabling innovation across:
- E-commerce
- Telemedicine
- Online education
- FinTech and digital payments
- E-governance services
The milestone aligns with the government’s Digital India vision of affordable, reliable, and high-quality internet for all.
Market Leaders in Broadband
Private Sector Dominance
India’s broadband market continues to be led by private telecom operators:
- Reliance Jio
- Total: ~51 crore subscribers
- Wireless: 49.69 crore
- Fixed-line: 1.35 crore
- Bharti Airtel
- Total: 31.42 crore subscribers
- Wireless: 30.42 crore
- Wired: Over 1 crore
- Vodafone Idea
- Wireless broadband users: 12.77 crore
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
- Wireless: 2.94 crore
- Fixed-line: 44.5 lakh connections
Total Telecom Subscriber Base
- Total telecom subscribers (voice + data): 123.45 crore
- Wireless: 118.74 crore
- Wireline: 4.70 crore
This indicates continued reliance on wireless access, while fixed broadband shows gradual, steady growth.
Wireline (Fixed-Line) Segment Performance
- October 2025: 4.675 crore subscribers
- November 2025: 4.705 crore subscribers
Top Gainers (Wireline)
- Reliance Jio: +1.7 lakh
- Tata Teleservices: +89,650
- Bharti Airtel: +79,756
- Vodafone Idea: +14,400
Top Losers (Wireline)
- Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet: −32,739
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited: −20,704
- BSNL: −8,095
- Quadrant: −2,175
- Reliance Communications: −1,516
Significance of 100-Crore Milestone
- Establishes India as a global digital powerhouse.
- Strengthens inclusive socio-economic development, bridging urban-rural divides.
- Supports adoption of next-generation technologies:
- 5G-enabled services
- IoT ecosystems
- AI-driven platforms
- Smart governance and digital public infrastructure
- Enhances India’s global competitiveness in the digital economy.
Broadband in India
- Broadband includes wireless (mobile data) and fixed-line (fiber/copper) internet connections.
- Growth driven by:
- Affordable data tariffs
- Rapid smartphone penetration
- Expansion of fiber networks
- Government programmes like Digital India and BharatNet
Digital India Programme
- Launched in 2015 to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
- Key pillars:
- Digital infrastructure as a utility
- Governance and services on demand
- Digital empowerment of citizens