India Telecom Sector Sees Steady Growth in August 2026

Overview of Telecom Subscription Trends

According to the latest data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for August 2026, the Indian telecommunications sector recorded a net addition of 6.42 million total telephone subscribers, bringing the national total to 1,360.70 million. The data, compiled from reports submitted by 1,579 operators, reflects growth across both wireline and wireless segments.

Key Performance Indicators

• Total Telephone Subscribers: 1,360.70 million (0.47% monthly growth).
• Broadband Subscribers: 1,101.21 million (0.61% monthly growth).
• Mobile Number Portability (MNP): 15.83 million requests submitted in August 2026.
• Wireless Tele-density: 91.69%.

Market Segmentation and Growth

Wireless and FWA

The combined wireless and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) subscriber base rose to 1,312.25 million. Within this, standard mobile subscriptions accounted for 1,293.43 million. Notably, all Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) across the country experienced growth in wireless subscribers throughout August, with the sole exception of Himachal Pradesh.

Wireline Developments

Wireline adoption continued to rise, reaching 48.45 million subscribers. This segment saw a monthly growth rate of 0.93%, driven largely by urban demand, which accounts for approximately 89.08% of the total wireline market. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as BSNL, MTNL, and APSFL maintained a 16.05% market share in the wireline segment.

Broadband and FWA Technology

Broadband penetration increased steadily, with Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Bharti Airtel Ltd. continuing to lead the market. FWA services, categorized into 5G-based and Unlicensed Band Radio (UBR) technology, totaled 18.82 million subscribers combined. 5G FWA adoption specifically reached 13.45 million users, showing a relatively balanced distribution between urban and rural regions.

Data Verification

This information is based on statistics provided by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to the regulator. Interested parties can verify the complete datasets, including individual LSA performance and annexures, by accessing the official TRAI website at [www.trai.gov.in](http://www.trai.gov.in) and referencing Press Release No. 125/2026.