New Delhi – India has reached a significant milestone in internet connectivity, with the total number of internet subscribers climbing to 969.6 million during the April-June quarter of 2023. This marks a quarterly growth rate of 1.59 percent, according to the latest data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday. The surge in subscribers is largely attributed to a notable increase in rural connectivity, where the share of rural subscriptions rose from 44.52 percent to 44.67 percent. This trend reflects ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide in the country, ensuring that more citizens have access to vital online resources.
Among the total subscriber base, 42.04 million individuals utilize wired internet services, while a staggering 927.56 million rely on wireless internet connections. The broadband segment has also seen a positive trajectory, with its subscriber base growing by 1.81 percent from 924.07 million to 940.75 million. Conversely, the narrowband internet subscriber base experienced a decline, dropping from 30.34 million to 28.85 million. The report highlights that wireline subscribers increased from 33.79 million to 35.11 million, boasting a quarterly growth rate of 3.90 percent.
Additionally, wireline tele-density improved from 2.41 percent to 2.50 percent, indicating a growing adoption of fixed-line services. On the revenue side, the monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for wireless services has seen an encouraging increase of 2.55 percent, rising from Rs 153.54 to Rs 157.45. Year-on-year, the ARPU has grown by 8.11 percent. Pre-paid ARPU also showed positive growth, climbing from Rs 150.74 to Rs 154.80, while post-paid ARPU edged up from Rs 187.85 to Rs 189.17.
Despite the rising revenues, the overall minutes of usage (MOU) per subscriber per month saw a decline of 2.16 percent, decreasing from 995 to 974. The prepaid MOU currently stands at 1,010, while postpaid users average 539 minutes per month. In the broader telecommunications landscape, the total number of telephone subscribers in India grew from 1,199.28 million to 1,205.64 million, reflecting a growth rate of 0.53 percent over the previous quarter. As India continues to enhance its digital infrastructure and connectivity, the increase in internet subscribers and ARPU signals a promising shift towards greater inclusion and accessibility for all citizens.
