According to the latest performance indicator report for the quarter April – June 2024, released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) for the telecom sector rose by 0.13 per cent on a quarterly basis to Rs 705.55 billion, with a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 7.51 per cent.
The report noted that monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile services increased by over 8 per cent year-on-year, reaching Rs 157.45 in the quarter ending (QE) June 2024. This marks a 2.55 per cent sequential rise from the Rs 153.54 recorded in the January-March 2024 period. The total number of telephone subscribers in India grew to 1,205.64 million, reflecting a 0.53 per cent increase from the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, wireline subscriptions reached 35.11 million, showing a significant annual uptick of 15.81 per cent. The total wireless subscriber base increased by 5.04 million during the quarter, resulting in a total of 1,170.53 million, which is a 0.43 per cent increase from March 2024, and a 2.36 per cent growth YoY.
In addition, tele-density figures indicate that wireline tele-density rose from 2.41 per cent at the end of March 2024 to 2.50 per cent by June 2024, while wireless tele-density increased by 0.21 per cent to reach 83.45 per cent during the same period. Overall tele-density in India also saw an increase, rising to 85.95 per cent from 85.69 per cent. As per the report, rural tele-density improved to 59.65 per cent, up from 59.19 per cent, although urban tele-density slightly declined from 133.72 per cent to 133.46 per cent. The total number of internet subscribers grew by 1.59 per cent quarter-on-quarter to reach 969.60 million, which includes 28.85 million narrowband subscribers and 940.75 million broadband users.
Furthermore, the report noted that Reliance Jio experienced the highest subscriber growth at 9.18 per cent, bringing its total to 489.72 million, while Bharti Airtel’s user base rose by 4.42 per cent to reach 398.07 million. In contrast, Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) saw a decline of 5.30 per cent, dropping to 218.12 million subscribers, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) reported decreases of 13.16 per cent and 4.88 per cent, respectively, in their subscriber bases during this period.
