india-s-active-mobile-subscribers-exceed-108-crore

India’s telecom landscape continued to expand in August 2025, with active mobile subscribers crossing 108.6 crore, accounting for 93 per cent of the total wireless subscriber base of 116.7 crore, according to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

 

The figures highlight steady growth across mobile, broadband, and wireless services in both urban and rural regions, reflecting a sustained surge in connectivity.

 

During the month, 1.51 crore subscribers opted for Mobile Number Portability (MNP), signalling strong consumer demand for better services and flexibility in network choice. Total wireless subscribers, including mobile and fixed wireless access, rose from 117.2 crore in July to 117.8 crore in August, registering a monthly growth rate of 0.52 per cent.

 

Urban areas saw wireless subscriptions climb by 0.66 per cent, from 64.1 crore to 64.5 crore, while rural subscriptions inched up 0.36 per cent, from 53.1 crore to 53.3 crore. Urban users now comprise 54.78 per cent of wireless subscribers, with rural users making up 45.22 per cent. Wireless tele-density rose to 83.12 per cent, with urban density reaching 126.38 per cent and rural tele-density at 58.76 per cent.

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The broadband sector also registered modest growth, with subscriptions rising from 98.5 crore to 98.96 crore, marking a 0.50 per cent increase from July. Data coverage spanned 1,426 operators nationwide.

 

Conversely, the wireline segment experienced a decline, dropping from 4.81 crore to 4.65 crore subscribers, a contraction of 3.34 per cent for the month. Wireline tele-density fell to 3.28 per cent, with urban areas at 8.13 per cent and rural regions remaining low at 0.55 per cent. Urban subscribers dominate the wireline base at 89.28 per cent, while Public Sector Undertakings such as BSNL, MTNL, and APSFL retain 20.53 per cent of the market.

 

The TRAI data reflects India’s continuing shift towards mobile-first connectivity, particularly in rural regions, while highlighting the gradual decline of traditional wireline services.