MUMBAI: India’s telecom sector is ringing loud and clear with growth in both reach and revenue. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its Q1 2025 Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report, offering a snapshot of India’s ever-evolving communications landscape. Covering the period from January to March 2025, the report reflects an expanding user base, robust revenue growth, and a surge in average mobile usage despite a slight dip in internet subscriptions.

India’s total telephone subscriber base crossed 1.2 billion (1,200.80 million), with a 0.91 per cent increase over the previous quarter. Wireless subscribers (including 5G FWA) now stand at 1,163.76 million, while wireline numbers declined to 37.04 million, a drop attributed to the reclassification of some 5G Fixed Wireless Access users.

Here’s what’s trending in the sector:

●    Mobile ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) rose to Rs 182.95 in Q1 2025 up 0.64 per cent from the previous quarter and a whopping 19.16% year-on-year.

●    Minutes of Usage (MOU) per subscriber also ticked up to 1,026/month.

●    Total wireless data usage during the quarter hit 59,447 PB, with average consumption at 22.19 GB per user.

●    Tele-density improved to 85.04 per cent, with rural areas seeing a jump to 59.06 per cent.

●    Internet subscribers marginally dipped by 0.11 per cent to 969.10 million, largely driven by a slight broadband fall.

●    Pay DTH subscribers dropped to 56.92 million, down from 58.22 million in Q4 2024.

●    FM radio still has its groove, with 388 private stations across 113 cities generating Rs 466.63 crore in ad revenue.

On the broadcasting front, India now has 918 permitted private satellite channels and 531 operational community radio stations.

While rural wireline teledensity remains low at 0.39 per cent, wireless penetration continues to be India’s telecom backbone, with private players commanding a 91.47 per cent market share.

As India prepares for deeper digital adoption, TRAI’s indicators reveal that the sector is not just surviving, it’s thriving. Whether it’s screen time, call time or data time, Indians are clearly making the most of their mobile moment.