According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) yearly performance indicators report for 2025-26, India’s wireless subscriber base crossed 1.26 billion by the end of March 2026, despite tariff increases introduced by telecom operators during the year. Meanwhile, the subscriber base expanded 9.40 per cent year on year.
The number of mobile subscribers rose from 1.16 billion in March 2025 to 1.27 billion in March 2026, resulting in a net addition of 108.74 million subscribers during the year.
Revenue indicators also improved during the period, with average revenue per user (ARPU) increasing 3.59 per cent to Rs 180.73 per month from Rs 174.46 in 2024-25. Prepaid services generated an average monthly ARPU of Rs 190.66, while the figure for postpaid services stood at Rs 119.76.
The sector’s gross revenue grew 8.59 per cent to Rs 404.07 billion from Rs 372.10 billion a year earlier. Applicable gross revenue rose 7.12 per cent to Rs 381.65 billion, while adjusted gross revenue (AGR) increased 10.44 per cent to Rs 334.66 billion.
Meanwhile, spectrum usage charges rose 6.12 per cent from Rs 3.81 billion to Rs 4.04 billion. Licence fee collections increased 10.40 per cent from Rs 24.24 billion in 2024-25 to Rs 26.76 billion in 2025-26.
Mobile usage remained substantial, with subscribers averaging 950 minutes of usage per month. Prepaid users accounted for a significantly higher average of 1,055 minutes per month, compared with 305 minutes for postpaid users.
The wireless data subscriber base also expanded during the year, reaching 1,026.75 million in March 2026 from 939.51 million in March 2025, representing a 9.29 per cent annual increase.