Internet usage in India reveals an average time spent of 16 hours per month, with a staggering 96.9 crore users accounted for, according to a report by TRAI.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently released its Performance Indicators Report for the year 2024-25, offering insights into the evolving trends in India's digital landscape and telecom sector.
The report reveals a significant increase in internet subscribers, with the country recording 969.10 million users by March 2025 – a 1.54% year-on-year growth from the previous year. This growth is primarily driven by the rise in broadband users, which increased by 2.17% to 944.12 million, while narrowband users declined sharply by 17.66% to 24.98 million, indicating a clear shift towards higher-speed broadband connectivity.
In terms of data usage and engagement, average monthly data consumption has risen substantially. The average time spent on the internet per month reached approximately 16.6 hours (1,000 minutes), growing at an annual rate of 3.91%. This reflects deeper user engagement and reliance on digital services across urban and rural areas.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) for wireless services has also seen a substantial rise, increasing by 16.89%, from Rs. 149.25 to Rs. 174.46 per month. This increase reflects higher consumer spending on mobile data, likely influenced by more data-intensive applications and 5G usage.
The report also highlights a slight decline in tele-density, with the figure dropping from 85.69% to 85.04%. However, the sector is witnessing a digital transition from traditional narrowband and voice-centric services to high-speed broadband, 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and content-driven platforms, showcasing evolving consumer preferences and technology adoption patterns.
The report covers not only telecom but also broadcasting services including cable TV, DTH, and radio, indicating that digital connectivity and consumption are expanding broadly across media formats.
In terms of geographical distribution, the Odisha service area recorded the highest growth rate at 4.24% as of March 2025, while the Kolkata service area experienced a reduction of 3.78%. The Karnataka service area had a growth rate of 2.98% during the same period.
The total telecom subscriber base in India reached 1,200.80 million by March 2025. Rural subscribers accounted for 53.4 crore (534.69 million) of the total, while urban subscribers accounted for 66.6 crore (666.11 million).
Private telecom operators held a 91.47% market share in India, with public sector undertakings (PSUs) holding a 8.53% share. The total wireline subscriber base grew from 3.37 crore (33.79 million) to 3.7 crore (37.04 million) between March 2024 and March 2025, registering an annual growth rate of 9.62%.
The Average Minutes of Usage (MoUs) per subscriber per month increased from 963 in 2023-24 to 1,000 in 2024-25.
In summary, TRAI’s 2024-25 report highlights steady growth in broadband penetration, rising data usage, increased revenue from wireless services, and a broad digital transformation in India’s telecom ecosystem, driven by high-speed internet expansion and evolving consumer behavior towards digital content and services. These trends underscore India's progress towards becoming a more connected and digitally empowered society.
The report shows an annual rise in average monthly data consumption, reaching approximately 16.6 hours (1,000 minutes), indicating greater user engagement and reliance on digital services. This growth is supported by the increasing Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for wireless services, which has risen by 16.89%, reflecting higher consumer spending on mobile data and 5G usage. These findings suggest a move towards higher-speed broadband technology use in India.
