India’s broadband connections crossed 1.108 billion in September 2026, with 6.47 million new users added. Fixed wireless broadband, largely 5G FWA, grew fastest at 1.84% month-on-month. Telcos are now clearly betting on FWA to push home internet beyond the fiber-ready cities.
How We Got Here
TRAI began including 5G FWA subscriptions in the fixed wireless segment from November 2024, altering prior comparisons. Airtel's machine-to-machine SIMs also entered TRAI's broadband figures in December 2025, affecting overall reported growth.
The Numbers
- India's total broadband connections reached 1.107 billion in September, up from 1.101 billion in August.
- Jio holds nearly 49% of the broadband market with 541.17 million connections, followed by Airtel at 35% with 388.86 million.
- Fixed wireless broadband was the fastest-growing segment, rising 1.84% to 19.70 million connections in September.
- 5G FWA subscriptions added 152,000 users, reaching 13.61 million, with Jio owning 9.52 million and Airtel 4.09 million.
- Rural areas slightly lead 5G FWA adoption with 7.06 million subscriptions compared to 6.54 million in urban areas.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For founders building D2C brands in cities like Lucknow or Jaipur, the rapid expansion of fixed wireless broadband creates a reliable internet base for last-mile logistics and local e-commerce.
The Take
The rapid FWA growth indicates a clear telco strategy to capture home internet users who lack fiber, directly challenging wired broadband providers. Expect Jio and Airtel to aggressively bundle these services, making it tougher for smaller, regional ISPs by Q2 2027.
Source:
MediaNama ↗