India sees rapid 5G growth, telecom expands

The year 2024-25 marked a defining phase for India's telecommunications and broadcasting sectors, backed by rapid technological progress, regulatory reforms, and expanding digital inclusion.

- AGENCIES

According to The Annual Report of The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for 2024-25, India continued to consolidate its position as the world's second-largest telecom market, with the overall subscriber base rising to 1,200.80 million by the end of March 2025.

Internet subscribers reached 969.10 million, while broadband users climbed to 944.12 million, reflecting sustained demand for high-speed connectivity across urban and rural India.

Tele-density stood at 85.04 per cent, reflecting the near-universal reach of telecom services nationwide.

A landmark development during the year was the accelerated rollout of 5G networks. India's was among the fastest 5G network roll outs. By February 2025, 5G services were available in nearly all districts, supported by over 4.69 lakh Base Transceiver Stations and serving around 25 crore users. 5G service was launched in India on October 1, 2022 and is currently available in 99.6 per cent of the country's districts.