India's digital sphere has witnessed a significant spike in the past year, with an addition of 73 million internet subscribers and 78 million broadband users. This substantial increase has brought the total number of telephone subscribers in the country to a staggering 1.199 billion, as reported by the Centre on Tuesday.
The period between March 2023 and March 2024 saw a remarkable growth in the number of internet users in the country. The total number of internet subscribers rose from 881 million at the end of March 2023 to 954 million at the end of March 2024, marking an annual growth rate of 8.3%. This growth is a testament to the increasing digital penetration in the country, and the expanding reach of internet services to the farthest corners of the nation.
Broadband services, too, have been on a steady rise, mirroring the upward trajectory of internet usage. The number of broadband subscribers increased from 846 million in March 2023 to 924 million in March 2024, according to the latest data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The robust growth rate of 9.15%, coupled with the addition of 78 million broadband subscribers, underscores the importance of high-speed connectivity in today's digital age. The telecom regulatory body emphasized the significance of this growth, stating, This robust growth rate of 9.15% with a massive addition of 78 million Broadband subscribers underscores the importance of high-speed connectivity.
The telecom sector's financial health also improved during this period. The adjusted gross revenue (AGR) increased from Rs 2,49,908 crore in the year 2022-23 to Rs 2,70,504 crore in the year 2023-24, marking a yearly growth rate of 8.24%. This increase in revenue is indicative of the sector's resilience and its ability to adapt to the changing market dynamics.
The overall tele-density in India, which is a measure of the number of telephone connections for every hundred individuals living within an area, increased from 84.51% at the end of March 2023 to 85.69% in March 2024. This growth, at an annual rate of 1.39%, reflects the increasing accessibility of telecommunication services in the country.
The number of wireless data subscribers also saw a significant increase, rising from 846 million at the end of March 2023 to 913 million at the end of March 2024. This increase, at an annual growth rate of 7.93%, is indicative of the growing preference for wireless connectivity among Indian consumers.
Moreover, the total volume of wireless data usage saw a substantial increase during this period. It rose from 1,60,054 PB (petabyte) during the year 2022-23 to 1,94,774 PB during the year 2023-24, marking an annual growth of 21.69%. This data, as revealed by TRAI, is a clear indication of the increasing reliance on wireless data for various digital activities.
The number of telephone subscribers in India also increased from 1.172 billion at the end of March 2023 to 1.199 billion at the end of March 2024, registering a yearly growth rate of 2.3%. This growth in telephone subscribers is a reflection of the expanding telecommunication network in the country.
Furthermore, the average minutes of usage (MOUs) per subscriber per month increased from 919 during the year 2022-23 to 963 in 2023-24, marking a yearly growth rate of 4.73%. This increase in MOUs is indicative of the growing usage of telecommunication services by Indian consumers.
