India's broadband landscape has reached a new milestone, with the subscriber base crossing the 100 crore mark in November 2025. This achievement signifies a major leap in digital connectivity across the nation, marking a six-fold increase since 2014.
Growth and Key Statistics
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reported that the number of broadband users surged from 131.49 million (13.15 crore) at the end of November 2015 to 100.37 crore by the end of November 2025. This expansion aligns with the government's focus on developing advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The total number of internet subscribers in India has also seen growth, increasing from 1002.85 million at the end of the April-June quarter to 1017.81 million by the end of the July-September period, marking a quarterly growth of 1.49%.
As of September 2025, wireless connections dominate internet access in India, with average monthly data consumption per user reaching 24GB. Mobile broadband speeds have also increased, reaching a median of over 130 Mbps by October 2025.
Government Initiatives and Impact
The growth in broadband subscriptions is closely linked to government initiatives aimed at digital transformation. The National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, launched in January 2025, aims to extend high-speed broadband to remote areas, including villages, schools, and health centers. This initiative aligns with the government's vision of a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047.
The Bharat 6G Alliance, established in 2023, also plays a role in advancing India's telecom technology. The government has set a goal to secure at least 10% of India's Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and patents in the 6G domain.
Historical Context
In contrast, the digital landscape in 2014 presented a different picture. Fewer than one in five Indians were using the internet. The number of internet users was expected to reach 243 million by June 2014. At that time, mobile connectivity was already recognized as a key driver of digital growth, but average connection speeds were slow, with broadband connections (4 Mbps or higher) being relatively scarce. The average download speed was only 4.18 Mbps in March 2014, which has now increased to 105.85 Mbps. The cost of data has also significantly decreased from ₹268.97 per GB in March 2014 to ₹9.18 per GB in March 2024.
Current Scenario
As of April 2024, 95.15% of villages in India have access to the internet through 3G or 4G mobile connectivity. The number of rural internet subscribers stood at 398.35 million in March 2024. The government's BharatNet project aims to connect all Gram Panchayats with optical fiber. Out of 2.22 lakh Gram Panchayats, 2.13 lakh have been made service-ready.
India's rise in broadband connectivity reflects the country's growing digital inclusion and positions it as one of the world's leading data consumers.
