 "Telecom Subscribers")
India’s telecom sector sustained its growth momentum in February 2026, with the total subscriber base rising to 1,321.31 million, according to the latest data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The industry added 7.31 million subscribers in the month, translating into a steady monthly growth rate of 0.56 per cent.
Strong growth in the broadband segment primarily drove the expansion, reflecting India’s deepening digital adoption. Broadband subscribers increased from 1,052.72 million in January to 1,059.05 million in February, underscoring the continued surge in data usage, streaming, and digital services across both urban and rural markets.
In the highly competitive broadband space, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. maintained a clear lead with 519.64 million subscribers. Bharti Airtel Ltd. followed with 364.14 million users, while Vodafone Idea Ltd. and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) reported 129.36 million and 28.70 million subscribers, respectively. The top five service providers collectively accounted for 98.60 per cent of the market, highlighting the sector’s consolidated nature.
Wireless tele-density also saw an uptick, rising from 88.87 per cent at the end of January to 89.30 per cent in February. Urban areas continued to exhibit significantly higher penetration at 142.32 per cent, while rural subscriptions stood at 542.56 million, indicating steady digital inclusion beyond metro regions.
Private telecom operators retained their dominance with a 92.59 per cent market share, leaving public sector players BSNL and MTNL with 7.41 per cent. Meanwhile, competition in the sector remained intense, as 14.47 million users submitted requests for mobile number portability during the month.
Rajat Mishra leads business news coverage at Firstpost.com. An award-winning business journalist with over seven years of experience, he has worked across some of India’s leading newsrooms. His reporting spans the macroeconomy, financial markets, and India Inc., with a keen focus on decoding complex data and trends for readers. An alumnus of the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, Rajat can be followed on X at @RajatMishra9518. For story ideas and pitches, he can be reached at Rajat.Mishra@nw18.com. When not tracking numbers and policy moves, he enjoys wandering the Himalayas and exploring society beyond spreadsheets.