Syllabus:

GS2: Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies. 

Context: Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has released “The Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators” for the year 2024-25. 

More on the News

• This report highlights key trends and growth in telecom, cable TV, DTH, and radio services in India from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
• This report is compiled mainly based on the information furnished by the Service Providers.
• The total number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,199.28 million at the end of Mar-24 to 1,200.80 million at the end of Mar-25, registering a yearly rate of growth of 0.13%. 

Key Findings

• Total number of internet subscribers increased from 954.40 million at the end of Mar-24 to 969.10 million at the end of Mar-25 with a yearly rate of growth of 1.54%.  
• The growth was primarily driven by an increase in broadband subscribers, which rose from 924.07 million to 944.12 million, marking a 2.17% year-on-year gain.
• The number of Narrowband subscribers decreased from 30.34 million at the end of Mar-24 to 24.98 million at the end of Mar-25 with yearly rate of decline of 17.66%.
• Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) per month for wireless service increased from Rs.149.25 in 2023-24 to Rs.174.46 in 2024-25, thereby showing a yearly rate of growth of 16.89%.
• Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) per month for prepaid service increased from Rs.146.37 in 2023-24 to Rs.173.84 in 2024-25. 
• However, ARPU per month for postpaid service decreased from Rs.184.63 to Rs.180.86 during the same period.
• Wireless Data:       
  The number of wireless data subscribers has increased from Mar-24 to Mar-25 with a yearly rate of growth of 2.87%. 
  Total revenue from wireless data usage increased from 2023-24 to 2024-25 with a yearly rate of growth of 15.49%.
• Telephone subscription in Urban Areas increased at a yearly rate of growth of 0.11%. However, Urban Tele-density declined with a yearly rate of decline of 1.70%.
• Rural telephone subscription increased at a yearly rate of growth of 0.15%. However, Rural Tele-density decreased from 59.19% to 59.06% during the same period of time.
• Out of the total telephone subscription, the shares of Rural telephone subscription increased from 44.52% at the end of Mar-24 to 44.53% at the end of Mar-25. 
• Access services contributed 83.65% of the total Adjusted Gross Revenue of telecom services. 
• TV Channels: 
  As of 31.03.2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has permitted around 918 private satellite TV channels for uplinking, downlinking, or both. Of these, 908 channels are available for downlinking in India.
  As of 31st March 2025, India had 333 pay satellite TV channels out of 908 available, including 232 SD and 101 HD channels.
  There were 4 pay DTH service providers with a net active subscriber base of 56.92 million, down from 61.97 million in 2024, excluding Doordarshan's free DTH users.
• As on 31st March 2025, 531 Community Radio stations are operational as compared to 494 Community Radio stations as on 31st March 2024.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) 

• TRAI is a statutory body. It was established by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• It is mandated to regulate telecom services in India, including tariff fixation/revision, which was earlier the domain of the Central Government.
• It covers areas like tariffs, quality of service, interconnection, spectrum management, and consumer protection in the telecom sector. 

Source: PIB

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2143158