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.

Source: PIB

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2143158

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