Syllabus:
GS2: Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.
Context:
Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has released “The Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators” for the year 2024-25.
More on the News
- This report highlights key trends and growth in telecom, cable TV, DTH, and radio services in India from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
- This report is compiled mainly based on the information furnished by the Service Providers.
- The total number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,199.28 million at the end of Mar-24 to 1,200.80 million at the end of Mar-25, registering a yearly rate of growth of 0.13%.
Key Findings
- Total number of internet subscribers increased from 954.40 million at the end of Mar-24 to 969.10 million at the end of Mar-25 with a yearly rate of growth of 1.54%.
- The growth was primarily driven by an increase in broadband subscribers, which rose from 924.07 million to 944.12 million, marking a 2.17% year-on-year gain.
- The number of Narrowband subscribers decreased from 30.34 million at the end of Mar-24 to 24.98 million at the end of Mar-25 with yearly rate of decline of 17.66%.
- Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) per month for wireless service increased from Rs.149.25 in 2023-24 to Rs.174.46 in 2024-25, thereby showing a yearly rate of growth of 16.89%.
- Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) per month for prepaid service increased from Rs.146.37 in 2023-24 to Rs.173.84 in 2024-25.
- However, ARPU per month for postpaid service decreased from Rs.184.63 to Rs.180.86 during the same period.
- Wireless Data:
- The number of wireless data subscribers has increased from Mar-24 to Mar-25 with a yearly rate of growth of 2.87%.
- Total revenue from wireless data usage increased from 2023-24 to 2024-25 with a yearly rate of growth of 15.49%.
- Telephone subscription in Urban Areas increased at a yearly rate of growth of 0.11%. However, Urban Tele-density declined with a yearly rate of decline of 1.70%.
- Rural telephone subscription increased at a yearly rate of growth of 0.15%. However, Rural Tele-density decreased from 59.19% to 59.06% during the same period of time.
- Out of the total telephone subscription, the shares of Rural telephone subscription increased from 44.52% at the end of Mar-24 to 44.53% at the end of Mar-25.
- Access services contributed 83.65% of the total Adjusted Gross Revenue of telecom services.
- TV Channels:
- As of 31.03.2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has permitted around 918 private satellite TV channels for uplinking, downlinking, or both. Of these, 908 channels are available for downlinking in India.
- As of 31st March 2025, India had 333 pay satellite TV channels out of 908 available, including 232 SD and 101 HD channels.
- There were 4 pay DTH service providers with a net active subscriber base of 56.92 million, down from 61.97 million in 2024, excluding Doordarshan’s free DTH users.
- As on 31st March 2025, 531 Community Radio stations are operational as compared to 494 Community Radio stations as on 31st March 2024.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
- TRAI is a statutory body. It was established by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
- It is mandated to regulate telecom services in India, including tariff fixation/revision, which was earlier the domain of the Central Government.
- It covers areas like tariffs, quality of service, interconnection, spectrum management, and consumer protection in the telecom sector.