India's telecommunications sector continued its steady expansion in June 2026, with the country's total telephone subscriber base increasing by 4.98 million to reach 1.348 billion, according to the latest data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The growth was driven primarily by strong additions in the wireless segment, while the traditional wireline market continued its gradual decline.
The telecom regulator's monthly report highlighted the continued shift in consumer preference toward wireless services, supported by rising mobile subscriptions, expanding fixed wireless access (FWA), and increasing broadband adoption across both urban and rural regions.
The total wireless subscriber base, which includes mobile connections and fixed wireless access services, climbed by 5.79 million during June to 1.30025 billion, registering a monthly growth rate of 0.45 percent. The increase reflects sustained demand for mobile connectivity and high-speed internet services as digital adoption continues to grow across the country.
Within the wireless category, mobile subscribers accounted for the bulk of the gains. The mobile subscriber base increased by 5.38 million, taking the total to 1.28238 billion by the end of June. This represented a monthly growth of 0.42 percent, indicating consistent expansion despite an already mature telecom market.
Both urban and rural areas contributed to the growth. Urban mobile subscriptions rose to 739.43 million, while rural mobile connections increased to 542.95 million. The figures suggest that telecom operators continue to strengthen network coverage and improve service availability in rural India, where demand for affordable digital connectivity remains strong.
Another major contributor to the sector's growth was the expansion of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. Wireless FWA subscriptions increased from 17.97 million in May to 18.36 million in June, reflecting growing consumer acceptance of wireless broadband solutions for homes and businesses. The rapid rollout of next-generation networks also supported this trend, with 5G Fixed Wireless Access subscribers rising from 12.73 million to 12.94 million during the month.
Broadband adoption also maintained its upward trajectory. Total broadband subscribers increased from 1,080.15 million in May to 1,087.50 million in June, representing a monthly growth rate of 0.68 percent. The steady increase highlights India's growing dependence on reliable internet connectivity for education, entertainment, digital payments, remote work, and online services.
The growth was recorded across both fixed and wireless broadband segments. Fixed wired broadband subscribers increased by 0.67 percent to reach 47.71 million, while wireless broadband subscribers grew by 0.65 percent, taking the total to 1.02143 billion. The continued expansion of broadband infrastructure remains a key pillar of India's digital transformation strategy.
Despite the overall positive performance of the telecom sector, the wireline segment continued to contract. The total number of wireline subscribers declined by 810,894 connections, bringing the overall wireline subscriber base down to 47.82 million by the end of June. This represented a monthly decline of 1.67 percent, continuing a long-term trend of customers moving away from conventional landline services in favour of mobile and wireless technologies.
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Among telecom operators, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio were the only major companies to record growth in the wireline category. Airtel added 173,667 wireline subscribers, while Jio gained 144,057 new customers. However, these additions were offset by subscriber losses reported by BSNL, Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited (APSFL), Vodafone Idea, Tata Teleservices, and several other service providers, resulting in an overall decline for the segment.
The report also highlighted continued growth in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications, an area that supports connected devices, smart infrastructure, industrial automation, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The number of M2M cellular mobile connections increased from 131.11 million in May to 134.73 million in June, underscoring the rapid expansion of connected technologies across multiple industries.
The latest TRAI data reflects the ongoing evolution of India's telecom landscape, with wireless connectivity, broadband services, and 5G adoption continuing to drive industry growth. As telecom operators expand their digital infrastructure and introduce new technologies, the sector is expected to remain a critical enabler of India's digital economy, supporting businesses, consumers, and government initiatives aimed at increasing nationwide connectivity.
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