View source for Telecommunications in India

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{About|communications in India|a more general coverage of media in India|Media of India}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Update|date=November 2024}}
{{Cleanup infobox|date=November 2024}}
}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{infobox
|above = Communications in India
|headerstyle = background:light black

|label1 = Gross adjusted revenue (2023)
| data1 = {{INRConvert|229071|c}}<ref name="performance2019">[https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QPIR_09022024_0.pdf The Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators October – December, 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308221831/https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QPIR_09022024_0.pdf |date=8 March 2024 }} trai.gov.in Retrieved 8 August 2023</ref>
| header2 = Telephony
|label3 = Total subscribers
| data3 = 1,190.66 million {{small|(Sept 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO">{{cite web|date=31 October 2020|title=Telecom Subscription Data as on 31 December 2023|url=https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QPIR_09022024_0.pdf|website=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India|access-date=8 March 2024|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308221831/https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QPIR_09022024_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|label4 = Wireless subscribers
| data4 = 1,153.72 million {{small|(September 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label5 = [[Fixed line]] subscribers
| data5 = 36.93 million {{small|(September 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label6 = Monthly telephone additions (Net)
| data6 = -14,20,000 {{small|(Sep 2023)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label7 = [[Teledensity]]
| data7 = 84.69%<br/>{{small|(Sep 2023)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label8 = Urban Teledensity
| data8 = 131.86%<br/>{{small|(Sept 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label9 = Rural Teledensity
| data9 = 58.48%<br/>{{small|(Sept 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label10 = Urban subscriber
| data10 = 662.15 Million<br/>{{small|(Sept 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label11 = Rural subscriber
| data11 = 528.51 Million<br/>{{small|(Sep 2023)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label12 = Broadband subscriber
| data12 = 949.21 million <br/>{{small|(Aug 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label13 = Broadband subscribers (Wireless)
| data13 = 905.46 million <br/>{{small|(Aug 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label14 = Broadband subscribers (Wireline)
| data14 = 43.75 million <br/>{{small|(Aug 2024)}}<ref name="TraidataO"/>
|label15 = [[country code top-level domain]]
| data15 = ''[[.in]]''
}}
'''India's telecommunication network''' is the [[List of mobile network operators|second largest in the world]] by number of telephone users<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anand |first=Saurav |date=2022-11-16 |title=India has over 1.19 bn mobile phone users: I&B ministry |url=https://www.livemint.com/technology/gadgets/india-has-over-1-2-bn-mobile-phone-users-i-b-ministry-11668610623295.html |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=mint |language=en |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217123559/https://www.livemint.com/technology/gadgets/india-has-over-1-2-bn-mobile-phone-users-i-b-ministry-11668610623295.html |url-status=live }}</ref> (both fixed and mobile phones) with over 1.19 billion subscribers as of September 2024.<ref name=":3"/> It has one of the lowest call tariffs in the world enabled by multiple large-scale telecom operators and the ensuant hyper-competition between them. India has the [[List of countries by number of Internet users|world's second largest]] Internet user-base with over 949.21 million broadband internet subscribers as of September 2024.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Highlights of Telecom Subscription Data as on 31st December, 2023 |url=https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.07of2024_0.pdf |website=TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA}}</ref> 

Major sectors of the Indian telecommunication industry are the telephone, internet and television broadcast industries in the country which are involved in an ongoing process of developing into a [[next-generation network]], increasingly employing an extensive array of modern network infrastructure such as digital [[telephone exchange]]s, [[Network switching subsystem|network switching subsystems]], [[media gateway]]s and [[Signaling gateway|signaling gateways]] at the core, interconnected by a wide variety of transmission systems using [[optical fiber]] or [[Microwave transmission|microwave radio relay]] networks. The [[access network]], which connects the subscriber to the core, is highly diversified with different copper-pair, [[optical fiber]] and wireless technologies. [[Satellite television]], a relatively new broadcasting technology has attained significant popularity in the Television segment. The introduction of private FM has boosted [[FM broadcasting in India|radio broadcasting in India]]. Telecommunication in India has been greatly supported by the [[Indian National Satellite System]] system of the country, one of the largest domestic satellite systems in the world. India possesses a diversified communications system, which links all parts of the country by telephone, Internet, radio, television and satellite. India's participation in global telecommunications and spectrum policy discussions is supported by the [[ITU-APT Foundation of India|ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI)]], a sector member of ITU-R, ITU-T, and ITU-D.<ref name="http">{{cite web|url=http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/PressRealease/Document/PR-TSD-May12.pdf|title=Highlights of Telecom Subscription Data as on 31 May 2012|work=TRAI|date=4 July 2012|access-date=5 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115104900/http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/PressRealease/Document/PR-TSD-May12.pdf|archive-date=15 November 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Indian telecom industry underwent a high rate of market liberalisation and growth since the 1990s and has now become the world's most competitive and one of the fastest growing telecom markets.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2011/10/18/forbes-india-mukesh-ambani-sunil-mittal-battle-of-titans.html|title=India Telcos: Battle of the Titans|work=Forbes|date=19 October 2011|first=Rohin|last=Dharmakumar|access-date=19 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021051148/http://www.forbes.com/2011/10/18/forbes-india-mukesh-ambani-sunil-mittal-battle-of-titans.html|archive-date=21 October 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="bbcnews.com">{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8607866.stm| first=Shilpa| last=Kannan| title=India's 3G licence bidders bank on big changes| work=BBC News| date=7 April 2010| access-date=11 June 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617115932/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8607866.stm| archive-date=17 June 2010| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Telecommunication has supported the socioeconomic development of India and has played a significant role in narrowing down the rural-urban [[digital divide]] to an extent. It has also helped to increase the transparency of governance with the introduction of [[e-governance]] in India. The government has pragmatically used modern telecommunication facilities to deliver mass education programmes for rural communities in India.<ref name="Raju Thomas">{{cite book| author=Raju Thomas G. C. |title= Encyclopedia of India (vol. 3) |year= 2006 |editor=Stanley Wolpert|pages=105–107 |publisher=Thomson Gale |isbn=0-684-31352-9 }}</ref>

According to the London-based telecom trade body [[GSMA]], the telecom sector accounted for 6.5% of India's GDP in 2015, or about {{INRConvert|9|lc}}, and supported direct employment for 2.2 million people in the country. GSMA estimates that the Indian telecom sector will contribute {{INRConvert|14.5|lc}} to the economy and support 3 million direct jobs and 2 million [[Direct, indirect, and induced employment|indirect jobs]] by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Telecom sector to contribute Rs 1.45 lakh crore to the public fund by 2020 - ET Telecom|url=http://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/telecom-sector-to-contribute-rs-1-45-lakh-crore-to-the-public-fund-by-2020/55069249|website=ETTelecom.com|access-date=22 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921010720/http://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/telecom-sector-to-contribute-rs-1-45-lakh-crore-to-the-public-fund-by-2020/55069249|archive-date=21 September 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In today's period of progress and wealth, technological modernization is increasingly seen as a foreseen necessity for every country. With better technology and more competition from established businesses, telecommunications has entered a new era of development. The continuous rise of the mobile industry is linked to technological advancements in the telecommunications sector. The service providers' primary goal is to build a loyal customer base by measuring their performance and maintaining existing consumers in order to profit from their loyalty. The purpose of the paper is to address these concerns.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mitra Debnath|first1=Roma|last2=Shankar|first2=Ravi|date=2008-01-01|title=Benchmarking telecommunication service in India: An application of data envelopment analysis|url=https://doi.org/10.1108/14635770810903169|journal=Benchmarking|volume=15|issue=5|pages=584–598|doi=10.1108/14635770810903169|issn=1463-5771|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==History==

===The beginning===
[[File:BSNL Microwave Tower Mangalore 0210.JPG|thumb|right|A microwave tower for short distance (~50 km) communication]]
Prof. [[S. P. Chakravarti]] is known as the father of electronics and [[telecommunications engineering]] in India.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/03772063.1982.11452762|title=Prof. S.P. Chakravarti (1904–1981)|first=S. N.|last=Mitra|date=1 August 1982|journal=IETE Journal of Research|volume=28|issue=8|pages=385–390|via=Taylor and Francis+NEJM|doi=10.1080/03772063.1982.11452762|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Mallick |first=M.C. |date=1989 |title=A Survey of Research and Development in Electronics and Telecommunications in India Over a Century (1850-1950) |url=https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol24_4_5_MCMallik.pdf |journal=[[Indian Journal of History of Science]] |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=284–317 |access-date=15 March 2024 |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426140513/https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol24_4_5_MCMallik.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://in.booksc.eu/book/53133498/850b31|title=Prof. S.P. Chakravarti (1904–1981) &#124; Mitra, S.N. &#124; download|website=in.booksc.eu}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He started electronics and telecommunications education, training and research in India.
Telecommunications in India began with the introduction of the [[Telegraphy]]. The Indian postal and telecom sectors are one of the world's oldest. In 1850, the first experimental electric telegraph line was started between [[Kolkata]] and [[Diamond Harbour]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Joshi|first=Sandeep|date=2013-06-12|title=Dot, dash, full stop: Telegram service ends July 15|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dot-dash-full-stop-telegram-service-ends-july-15/article4806921.ece|access-date=2021-06-06|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606064233/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dot-dash-full-stop-telegram-service-ends-july-15/article4806921.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1851, it was opened for the use of the [[East India Company]]. The Posts and Telegraphs department occupied a small corner of the Public Works Department at that time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Works Department|url=http://www.pwd.delhigovt.nic.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325232631/http://pwd.delhigovt.nic.in/|archive-date=25 March 2010|access-date=1 September 2010|publisher=Pwd.delhigovt.nic.in|df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{Irrelevant citation|reason=The cited source does not substantiate the claim|date=June 2021}}

The construction of {{Convert|4000|mi}} of telegraph lines was started in November 1853. These connected Kolkata (then Calcutta) and [[Peshawar]] in the north; [[Agra]], [[Mumbai]] (then Bombay) through Sindwa Ghats, and [[Chennai]] (then Madras) in the south; [[Ooty]] and [[Bangalore]]. [[William Brooke O'Shaughnessy|William O'Shaughnessy]], who pioneered the [[Telegraphy]] and telephone in India, belonged to the Public Works Department, and worked towards the development of telecom throughout this period. A separate department was opened in 1854 when telegraph facilities were opened to the public.

In 1880, two telephone companies, namely the [[Oriental Telephone Company]] Ltd. and the Anglo-Indian Telephone Company Ltd. approached the [[Government of India]] to establish a [[telephone exchange]] in India. Permission was refused on the grounds that the establishment of telephone networking was a government monopoly and that the government itself should undertake the work. In 1881, the government later reversed its earlier decision and a licence was granted to the [[Oriental Telephone Company]] Limited of England for opening telephone exchanges at [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]] and [[Ahmedabad]] and the first formal telephone service was established in the country.<ref name="ind_telecom_iim">{{cite web|url=http://www.iimcal.ac.in/community/consclub/reports/telecom.pdf|publisher=IIM Calcutta|title=The Indian Telecom Industry|author=Vatsal Goyal, Premraj Suman|access-date=26 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331034812/http://www.iimcal.ac.in/community/consclub/reports/telecom.pdf|archive-date=31 March 2010|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 28 January 1882, Major E. Baring, Member of the [[Governor General|Governor General of India]]'s Council declared open the Telephone Exchanges in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. The exchange in Calcutta named the "Central Exchange" had a total of 93 subscribers in its early stage. Later that year, Bombay also witnessed the opening of a telephone exchange.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.calcuttatelephones.com/history_ctd.shtml | title=History of Calcutta telephones | publisher=Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited | access-date=21 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615124411/http://www.calcuttatelephones.com/history_ctd.shtml | archive-date=15 June 2012 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Further developments and milestones===
[[File:Indian telegraph receipt 1912.jpg|thumb|Indian telegraph receipt 1912 (front top and back bottom) with additional labels]]
* 1901 – First [[wireless telegraph]] station established between [[Sagar Island]] and [[Sandhead]].
* Pre-1902 – [[Telegraphy|Cable telegraph]].
* 1907 – First Central Battery of telephones introduced in [[Kanpur]].
* 1913–1914 – First Automatic Exchange installed in [[Shimla]].
* 1927 – Radio-telegraph system between the UK and India, with [[Imperial Wireless Chain]] beam stations at [[Khadki]] and [[Daund]]. Inaugurated by [[Lord Irwin]] on 23 July by exchanging greetings with [[George V|King George V]].
* 1933 – [[Radiotelephone]] system inaugurated between the UK and India.
* 1947 - First [[Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering]] department started in India at the [[Government Engineering College, Jabalpur]].<ref name="patrika.com">{{cite web| url = https://www.patrika.com/jabalpur-news/jabalpur-engineering-collage-has-first-high-voltage-lab-of-country-1445162/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210521200053/https://www.patrika.com/jabalpur-news/jabalpur-engineering-collage-has-first-high-voltage-lab-of-country-1445162/| archive-date = 21 May 2021| title = Jabalpur Engineering Collage Has First High Voltage Lab Of Country - प्रदेश के इस पहले इंजीनियरिंग कॉलेज में है देश की पहली हाई वोल्टेज लैब, आप भी जानिए {{!}} Patrika News}}</ref>
* 1951 - First TV transmitter of India was installed at the [[Government Engineering College, Jabalpur]], on 24 October.<ref>[https://www.jecjabalpur.ac.in/advertisement/jec%20annual%20report%202018-19020720021126.pdf Annual report 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512101946/https://www.jecjabalpur.ac.in/advertisement/jec%20annual%20report%202018-19020720021126.pdf |date=12 May 2021 }} jecjabalpur.ac.in</ref><ref name="patrika.com"/>
* 1953 – 12 channel carrier system introduced.
* 1960 – First [[subscriber trunk dialling]] route commissioned between [[Lucknow]] and [[Kanpur]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TeqRAAAAQBAJ&q=First+subscriber+trunk+route+commissioned+between+Lucknow+and+Kanpur&pg=PA49|title=India Telecom Laws and Regulations Handbook|date=2008-03-03|publisher=Int'l Business Publications|isbn=978-1-4330-8190-3|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 1975 – First [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM]] system commissioned between [[Mumbai]] City and [[Andheri]] telephone exchanges.
* 1976 – First [[Digital data|digital]] [[microwave]] junction.
* 1979 – First [[optical fibre]] system for local junction commissioned at [[Pune]].
* 1980 – First [[satellite earth station]] for domestic communications established at [[Sikandrabad|Sikandarabad]], [[Uttar Pradesh|U.P.]]
* 1983 – First [[Analog signal|analogue]] Stored Programme Control exchange for [[trunk line]]s commissioned at Mumbai.
* 1984 – [[C-DOT]] established for indigenous development and production of [[Digital data|digital]] exchanges.
* 1995 – First [[mobile telephone]] service started on non-commercial basis on 15 August 1995 in [[Delhi]].
* 1995 – Internet Introduced in India starting with Laxmi Nagar, Delhi 15 August 1995<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/vsnlnow.html |title=VSNL starts India's first Internet service today |publisher=Dxm.org |date=14 August 1995 |access-date=15 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901102755/http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/vsnlnow.html |archive-date=1 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

* 1998 – A rural mobile telephone exchange system aimed at improving connectivity in Indian villages was developed and deployed. According to media reports, the system was engineered with technical contributions from Dr. Grish Mohan Gupta and implemented through ITI Mankapur to provide early-stage mobile communication access in rural regions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rural telecom innovation by Dr Girish Mohan Gupta |url=https://newst24.com/dr-girish-mohan-gupta-iim-mba-at-84-atmanirbhar-bharat-innovation/ |publisher=Newst24 |date=19 November 2025}}</ref>


* 2020 – The PM-WANI framework envisages provision of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Hotspot providers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM-WANI Central Registry |url=https://pmwani.gov.in/wani/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=pmwani.gov.in |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429043454/https://pmwani.gov.in/wani/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Development of Broadcasting:''' Radio broadcasting was initiated in 1927 but became state responsibility only in 1930. In 1937 it was given the name ''[[All India Radio]]'' and since 1957 it has been called ''Akashvani''.<ref name=Schwartzberg>Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (2008), ''India'', [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]</ref> Limited duration of television programming began in 1959, and complete broadcasting followed in 1965. The [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] owned and maintained the audio-visual apparatus—including the television channel ''[[Doordarshan]]''—in the country prior to the [[Economic liberalisation in India|economic reforms of 1991]]. In 1997, an autonomous body was established in the name of [[Prasar Bharti]] to take care of the public service broadcasting under the Prasar Bharti Act. All India Radio and Doordarshan, which earlier were working as media units under the Ministry of I&B became constituents of the body.<ref name="Raju Thomas"/>

'''Pre-liberalisation statistics:''' While all the major cities and towns in the country were linked with telephones during the [[British Raj|British]] period, the total number of telephones in 1948 numbered only around 80,000. Post-independence, growth remained slow because the telephone was seen more as a status symbol rather than being an instrument of utility. The number of telephones grew leisurely to 980,000 in 1971, 2.15 million in 1981 and 5.07 million in 1991, the year economic reforms were initiated in the country.

===Liberalisation and privatisation===
[[File:Cell Phone Tower in Ladakh India with Buddhist Prayer Flags.jpg|thumb|A mobile phone tower in Leh, Ladakh, India, surrounded by Buddhist prayer flags]]

The liberalisation of the Indian telecommunications industry started in 1981 when then Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] signed contracts with Alcatel CIT of France to merge with the state owned Telecom Company (ITI), in an effort to set up 5 million telecom lines per year. Soon after the contracts were signed, the policy was left unfufilled due to political opposition.<ref name="Dash" /> Attempts to liberalise the telecommunication industry were continued by the following government under the prime-minister-ship of [[Rajiv Gandhi]]. He invited [[Sam Pitroda]], a US-based [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Non-resident Indian (NRI)]] and a former [[Rockwell International]] executive to set up a [[C-DOT|Centre for Development of Telematics]] (C-DOT) which manufactured electronic telephone exchanges in India for the first time.<ref name="Kohli2006">{{cite book|author=Vanita Kohli|title=The Indian Media Business|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hllyb6ymMy0C&pg=RA3-PA189|access-date=19 June 2012|date=14 June 2006|publisher=SAGE|isbn=978-0-7619-3469-1|pages=189–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509102802/http://books.google.com/books?id=hllyb6ymMy0C&pg=RA3-PA189|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Sam Pitroda had a significant role as a consultant and adviser in the development of telecommunication in India.<ref>{{cite book|author=Marcus F. Franda|title=China and India Online: Information Technology Politics and Diplomacy in the World's Two Largest Nations|url=https://archive.org/details/chinaindiaonline0000fran|url-access=registration|access-date=19 June 2012|year=2002|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-7425-1946-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/chinaindiaonline0000fran/page/137 137]–|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 1985, the [[Department of Telecom]] (DoT) was separated from Indian Post & Telecommunication Department. DoT was responsible for telecom services in entire country until 1986 when [[Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited]] (MTNL) and [[Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited]] (VSNL) were carved out of DoT to run the telecom services of metro cities ([[Delhi]] and [[Mumbai]]) and international long-distance operations respectively.<ref name="Kohli2006"/>

The demand for telephones continued to increase and in the 1990s the Indian government was under mounting pressure to open up the telecom sector for private investment as a part of the [[Liberalisation]]-[[Privatisation]]-[[Globalisation]] policies that the government accepted to overcome the severe fiscal crisis and resultant [[balance of payments]] issue in 1991. Consequently, private investment in the sector of Value Added Services (VAS) was allowed and cellular telecom sector were opened up for competition from private investments. It was during this period that the [[Narsimha Rao]]-led government introduced the ''National Telecommunications policy (NTP)'' in 1994 which brought changes in the ownership, service and regulation of the national telecommunications infrastructure. The policy introduced the concept of ''telecommunication for all'' and its vision was to expand the telecommunication facilities to all the villages in India.<ref name="Arasu2008">{{cite book|author=J.G. Valan Arasu|title=Globalisation And Infrastructural Development In India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lqCNSdZwcsUC&pg=PA105|access-date=19 June 2012|date=1 April 2008|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-269-0973-5|pages=105–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509115558/http://books.google.com/books?id=lqCNSdZwcsUC&pg=PA105|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Liberalisation in the basic telecom sector was also envisaged in this policy.<ref name="Dossani2002">{{cite book|author=Rafiq Dossani|title=Telecommunications Reform in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=waNrXeuXcacC&pg=PA106|access-date=19 June 2012|date=1 July 2002|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-56720-502-2|pages=106–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509122052/http://books.google.com/books?id=waNrXeuXcacC&pg=PA106|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> They were also successful in establishing joint ventures between state owned telecom companies and international players. Foreign firms were eligible to 49% of the total stake. The multi-nationals were just involved in technology transfer, and not policy making.<ref name="Dash">{{cite web|url=http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/publications/magazine/fall2005/pdf-files/Telecom_RevJune27AS__1.pdf|title=Veto Players and the Deregulation of State-Owned Enterprises: The Case of Telecommunications in India|last=Dash|first=Kishore|access-date=26 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911040829/http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/publications/magazine/fall2005/pdf-files/Telecom_RevJune27AS__1.pdf|archive-date=11 September 2008|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

During this period, the World Bank and [[ITU]] had advised the Indian Government to liberalise long-distance services to release the monopoly of the state-owned DoT and VSNL and to enable competition in the long-distance carrier business which would help reduce tariff's and better the economy of the country. The Rao run government instead liberalised the local services, taking the opposite political parties into confidence and assuring foreign involvement in the long-distance business after 5 years. The country was divided into 20 telecommunication circles for basic telephony and 18 circles for mobile services. These circles were divided into category A, B and C depending on the value of the revenue in each circle. The government threw open the bids to one private company per circle along with government-owned DoT per circle. For cellular service two service providers were allowed per circle and a 15 years licence was given to each provider. During all these improvements, the government did face oppositions from [[Indian Telephone Industries|ITI]], DoT, MTNL, VSNL and other labour unions, but they managed to keep away from all the hurdles.<ref name="Dash"/>

In 1997, the government set up TRAI ([[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]]) which reduced the interference of Government in deciding tariffs and policymaking. The political powers changed in 1999 and the new government under the leadership of [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] was more pro-reforms and introduced better liberalisation policies. In 2000, the [[Premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Vajpayee government]] constituted the [[Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal]] (TDSAT) through an amendment of the TRAI Act, 1997.<ref name="TDSAT - profile">{{cite web|title=TDSAT - profile|url=http://tdsat.nic.in/profile2.htm|access-date=20 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508223006/http://www.tdsat.nic.in/profile2.htm|archive-date=8 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="TRAI Act">{{cite web|title=TRAI Act|url=http://www.tdsat.nic.in/Vol.1_%20Part-1%28bare%20acts%29.pdf|access-date=20 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520005806/http://www.tdsat.nic.in/Vol.1_%20Part-1%28bare%20acts%29.pdf|archive-date=20 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The primary objective of TDSAT's establishment was to release TRAI from adjudicatory and dispute settlement functions in order to strengthen the regulatory framework. Any dispute involving parties like licensor, licensee, service provider and consumers are resolved by TDSAT. Moreover, any direction, order or decision of TRAI can be challenged by appealing in TDSAT.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dot.gov.in/osp/Brochure/Brochure.htm |title= Department of Telecommunications Ministry of Communications & IT |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111124101505/http://www.dot.gov.in/osp/Brochure/Brochure.htm |archive-date= 24 November 2011 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> The government corporatised the operations wing of DoT on 1 October 2000 and named it as ''Department of Telecommunication Services (DTS)'' which was later named as [[Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited]] (BSNL). The proposal of raising the stake of foreign investors from 49% to 74% was rejected by the opposite political parties and leftist thinkers. Domestic business groups wanted the government to privatise VSNL. Finally in April 2002, the government decided to cut its stake of 53% to 26% in VSNL and to throw it open for sale to private enterprises. TATA finally took 25% stake in VSNL.<ref name="Dash"/>

This was a gateway to many foreign investors to get entry into the Indian telecom markets. After March 2000, the government became more liberal in making policies and issuing licences to private operators. The government further reduced licence fees for [cellular service providers and increased the allowable stake to 74% for foreign companies. Because of all these factors, the service fees finally reduced and the call costs were cut greatly enabling every common middle-class family in India to afford a cell phone. Nearly 32 million handsets were sold in India. The data reveals the real potential for growth of the Indian mobile market.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Reports/1/report31jan06.pdf |title=Draft Information Paper on Dial-up Internet Access |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720114530/http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Reports/1/report31jan06.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Many private operators, such as [[Reliance Communications]], [[Jio]], [[Tata Indicom]], [[Vodafone Essar|Vodafone]], [[Loop Mobile India|Loop Mobile]], [[Airtel India|Airtel]], [[Idea Cellular|Idea]] etc., successfully entered the high potential Indian telecom market. In the initial 5–6 years the average monthly subscribers additions were around 0.05 to 0.1 million only and the total mobile subscribers base in December 2002 stood at 10.5 million. However, after a number of proactive initiatives taken by regulators and licensors, the total number of mobile subscribers has increased rapidly to over 929 million subscribers as of May 2012.

In March 2008, the total [[GSM]] and [[CDMA]] mobile subscriber base in the country was 375 million, which represented a nearly 50% growth when compared with previous year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Telecom/GSM-CDMA-players-maintain-subscriber-growth-momentum/articleshow/4281903.cms|title=GSM, CDMA players maintain subscriber growth momentum-Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times|publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com|date=18 March 2009|access-date=22 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726202022/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/gsm-cdma-players-maintain-subscriber-growth-momentum/articleshow/4281903.cms|archive-date=26 July 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
As the unbranded Chinese cell phones which do not have [[International Mobile Equipment Identity]] (IMEI) numbers pose a serious security risk to the country, [[Mobile network operator]]s therefore suspended the usage of around 30 million mobile phones (about 8% of all mobiles in the country) by 30 April 2009. Phones without valid IMEI cannot be connected to cellular operators.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/the-story-behind-mobiles-without-imei-number/article64200.ece "TTC DOT Directs ban on usage of Chinese"], ''The Hindu! News''  {{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

India has opted for the use of both the [[Global System for Mobile Communications|GSM (global system for mobile communications)]] and [[Code division multiple access|CDMA (code-division multiple access)]] technologies in the [[mobile phone|mobile]] sector. In addition to [[landline]] and mobile phones, some of the companies also provide the [[Wireless local loop|WLL]] service. The mobile tariffs in India have also become the lowest in the world. A new mobile connection can be activated with a monthly commitment of US$0.15 only.

Decentralisation has been the new push by the government through PM WANI scheme launched in Dec 2020 to push Internet penetration above the current 50% threshold into smaller towns and villages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India: internet penetration rate 2024 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/792074/india-internet-penetration-rate/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Statista |language=en |archive-date=10 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410071327/https://www.statista.com/statistics/792074/india-internet-penetration-rate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This opens up opportunities for multiple small and medium scale local business models<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM-WANI Central Registry |url=https://pmwani.gov.in/wani/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=pmwani.gov.in |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429043454/https://pmwani.gov.in/wani/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as decentralized solutions using [[Cryptocurrency|Blockchain]].

===Licence cancellation===
{{Main|2G spectrum case}}

On 2 February 2012 the Supreme Court ruled on petitions filed by [[Subramanian Swamy]] and the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) represented by [[Prashant Bhushan]], challenging the 2008 allotment of 2G licenses,<ref name=license /> cancelling all 122 spectrum licences granted during [[A. Raja]] ([[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications & IT from 2007 to 2009]]), the primary official accused's term as communications minister.<ref name=license>{{cite news|title=Supreme Court quashes 122 2G licences awarded in 2008|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_supreme-court-quashes-122-2g-licences-awarded-in-2008_1645296|newspaper=DNA|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614033029/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_supreme-court-quashes-122-2g-licences-awarded-in-2008_1645296|archive-date=14 June 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and described the allocation of 2G spectrum as "unconstitutional and arbitrary".<ref>{{cite news|title=Five crore fine for Unitech, Swan and Tata Teleservices|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/five-crore-fine-for-unitech-swan-and-tata-teleservices-172607|newspaper=NDTV|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225162134/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/five-crore-fine-for-unitech-swan-and-tata-teleservices-172607|archive-date=25 December 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The bench of [[GS Singhvi]] and [[Asok Kumar Ganguly]] imposed a fine of {{INRConvert|50|m|nolink=yes}} on Unitech Wireless, Swan Telecom and Tata Teleservices and a {{INRConvert|5|m|nolink=yes}} fine on [[Loop Telecom]], [[S Tel]], Allianz Infratech and [[MTS India|Sistema Shyam Tele Services]].<ref name="SC quashes 122 licences">{{cite news|title=SC quashes 122 licences|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-SC-scraps-122-licences-granted-under-Rajas-tenure-trial-court-to-decide-on-Chidambarams-role/articleshow/11725097.cms|date=2 February 2012|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715072719/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-02/india/31016262_1_spectrum-licences-2g-spectrum-allotment-case|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to the ruling the then granted licences would remain in place for four months, after which time the government would reissue the licences.<ref>{{cite news|title=Licences to remain in place for 4 months|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-SC-quashes-122-licences-trial-court-to-decide-on-Chidambarams-role-CBI-to-submit-probe-report-to-CVC/articleshow/11724453.cms|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506040824/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-SC-quashes-122-licences-trial-court-to-decide-on-Chidambarams-role-CBI-to-submit-probe-report-to-CVC/articleshow/11724453.cms|archive-date=6 May 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Consolidation ===
Post starting of the commercial operation of [[Reliance Jio]] in September 2016, the telecom market saw a huge change in terms of falling tariff rates and reduction of data charges, which changed the economics for some of the telecom players. This resulted in exit of many smaller players from the market. Players like Videocon and Systema sold their spectrum under spectrum trading agreements to Airtel and RCOM respectively in Q4 2016.

On 23 February 2017, [[Telenor India]] announced that [[Bharti Airtel]] will take over all its business and assets in India and deal will be completed in 12 months timeframe.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.telenor.com/media/press-release/bharti-airtel-to-take-ownership-of-telenors-operations-in-india | title=Bharti Airtel to take ownership of Telenor's operations in India | date=23 February 2017 | publisher=Telenor Group | access-date=13 January 2019 | archive-date=22 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131846/https://www.telenor.com/media/press-release/bharti-airtel-to-take-ownership-of-telenors-operations-in-india | url-status=dead }}</ref> On 14 May 2018, [[Department of Telecommunications|Department of Telecom]] approved the merger of [[Telenor India]] with Bharti Airtel paving the way for final commercial closing of the merger between the two companies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/dot-approves-merger-of-bharti-airtel-and-telenor-india/articleshow/64157286.cms|title={title}|newspaper=The Economic Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143719/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/dot-approves-merger-of-bharti-airtel-and-telenor-india/articleshow/64157286.cms|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live|access-date=20 July 2018|df=dmy-all|last1=Aulakh |first1=Gulveen }}</ref> [[Telenor India]] has been acquired by Airtel almost without any cost.

On 12 October 2017, [[Bharti Airtel]] announced that it would acquire the consumer mobile businesses of [[Tata Teleservices]] Ltd (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharastra Ltd (TTML) in a debt-free cash-free deal. The deal was essentially free for [[Airtel India|Airtel]] which incurred TTSL's unpaid spectrum payment liability. TTSL will continue to operate its enterprise, fixed line and broadband businesses and its stake in tower company Viom Networks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bharti Airtel to acquire Tata's mobile business on debt-free cash-free basis|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/bharti-airtel-acquire-tata-teleservices-ttsl-consumer-mobile-business/story/261930.html|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=12 October 2017 |access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115064028/http://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/bharti-airtel-acquire-tata-teleservices-ttsl-consumer-mobile-business/story/261930.html|archive-date=15 November 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tata and Bharti to combine consumer telecom business via @tatacompanies|url=http://www.tata.com/company/releasesinside/tata-bharti-combine-telecom-business|website=tata.com|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112170337/http://www.tata.com/company/releasesinside/tata-bharti-combine-telecom-business|archive-date=12 November 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kurup|first1=Rajesh|title=Tata Tele hangs up on mobile business; Airtel picks it up|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/bharti-airtel-to-merge-consumer-mobile-business-of-tata-teleservices/article9901695.ece|website=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=18 November 2017|date=12 October 2017|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729031248/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/tata-tele-hangs-up-on-mobile-business-airtel-picks-it-up/article9901695.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The consumer mobile businesses of Tata Docomo, Tata Teleservices (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Limited (TTML) have been merged into [[Bharti Airtel]] from 1 July 2019<ref>{{Cite web |last=bureau |first=Odisha Diary |date=2017-10-12 |title=Tata and Bharti to Combine Consumer Telecom Business |url=https://orissadiary.com/tata-bharti-combine-consumer-telecom-business/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=Odisha News {{!}} Odisha Breaking News {{!}} Latest Odisha News |language=en-US |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227092655/https://orissadiary.com/tata-bharti-combine-consumer-telecom-business/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/airtel-tata-tele-merger-completed/article28251509.ece|title=Airtel's Tata merger deal|date=1 July 2019|publisher=Business Line|access-date=3 July 2019|archive-date=15 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915075303/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/airtel-tata-tele-merger-completed/article28251509.ece|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/911053062]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/911044148]] cite #9 - please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/tata-teleservices-merger-dot-seeks-rs-7200-crore-bank-guarantee-from-airtel/articleshow/68833052.cms|title=DoT approved deal of Tata and Bharti Airtel|date=11 April 2019|newspaper=Economic Times|access-date=5 May 2019|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728031141/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/tata-teleservices-merger-dot-seeks-rs-7200-crore-bank-guarantee-from-airtel/articleshow/68833052.cms|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/911053062]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/911044148]] cite #10 - please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>

[[Reliance Communications]] had to shut down its [[2G]] and [[3G]] services including all voice services and only offer [[4G]] data services from 29 December 2017, as a result of debt and a failed merger with [[Aircel]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/reliance-communications-to-shut-voice-calls-from-next-month/articleshow/61504833.cms | title=Reliance Communications to shut voice calls from next month | newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] | date=4 November 2017 | access-date=29 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201150023/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/reliance-communications-to-shut-voice-calls-from-next-month/articleshow/61504833.cms | archive-date=1 December 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/debt-ridden-reliance-communication-to-shut-voice-calls-from-december-1/articleshow/61506688.cms | title=Debt ridden Reliance Communication to shut voice calls from December 1 | newspaper=[[The Times of India]] | date=4 November 2017 | access-date=29 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106032337/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/debt-ridden-reliance-communication-to-shut-voice-calls-from-december-1/articleshow/61506688.cms | archive-date=6 November 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Surprisingly, the shut down was shortly after completion of acquisition of [[MTS India]] on 31 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Reliance Communications Completes Merger With MTS|url=http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-1769486|website=NDTV|date=31 October 2017 |access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040646/http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-1769486|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Reliance Communications completes merger with MTS|url=http://zeenews.india.com/companies/reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-2053315.html|website=Zee News|access-date=18 November 2017|date=31 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108131849/http://zeenews.india.com/companies/reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-2053315.html|archive-date=8 November 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In February 2019, the company filed for bankruptcy as it was unable to sell assets to repay its debt.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Siddiqui |first1=Danish |title=RCom goes to bankruptcy court to resolve debt burden |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/rcom-debt/rcom-goes-to-bankruptcy-court-to-resolve-debt-burden-idINKCN1PQ4WT |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Reuters |date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027130609/https://in.reuters.com/article/rcom-debt/rcom-goes-to-bankruptcy-court-to-resolve-debt-burden-idINKCN1PQ4WT |url-status=dead }} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/911053838]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/910312130]] cite #3 - please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> It has an estimated debt of ₹ 57,383 crore against assets worth ₹18,000 crore.<ref>{{cite news|last1=ET Bureau|title=RCom to move NCLT to offload assets, repay debt|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/anil-ambani-cant-find-a-fix-for-rcom-files-for-bankruptcy/articleshow/67798419.cms|access-date=28 February 2019|work=The Economic Times|date=2 February 2019|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919143059/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/anil-ambani-cant-find-a-fix-for-rcom-files-for-bankruptcy/articleshow/67798419.cms|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/911053838]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/910312130]] cite #4 - please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/telecom/nclt-appoints-aneesh-nanavati-of-deloitte-as-rp-for-reliance-communications-1561128208280.html|title=NCLT appoints Aneesh Nanavati of Deloitte as RP for Reliance Communications|date=2019-06-21|website=www.livemint.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-16|archive-date=16 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816073459/https://www.livemint.com/industry/telecom/nclt-appoints-aneesh-nanavati-of-deloitte-as-rp-for-reliance-communications-1561128208280.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Aircel]] shut down its operations in unprofitable circles including, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh (West) from 30 January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aircel to shut operations in six circles from January 30|date=20 December 2017 |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/aircel-to-shut-operations-in-six-circles-from-january-30-2465863.html|publisher=[[Moneycontrol.com]]|access-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133457/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/aircel-to-shut-operations-in-six-circles-from-january-30-2465863.html|archive-date=3 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Aircel along with its units - Aircel Cellular and Dishnet Wireless - on 1 March 2018, filed for bankruptcy in the National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai due to huge competition and high levels of debt.

Vodafone and Idea Cellular completed their merger on 31 August 2018, and the merged entity is renamed to [[Vodafone Idea Limited|Vi]].<ref name="mergeraug">{{cite web|url=https://www.ideacellular.com/content/dam/ir/VIL%20Begins%20Operations%20(1).pdf|title=Merger of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India completed - creating India's largest telecom service provider|publisher=Idea|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831142120/https://www.ideacellular.com/content/dam/ir/VIL%20Begins%20Operations%20(1).pdf|archive-date=31 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The merger created the largest telecom company in India by subscribers and by revenue,<ref name="mergeraug"/> and the second largest mobile network in terms of number of subscribers in the world. Under the terms of the deal, the [[Vodafone Group]] holds a 45.1% stake in the combined entity, the [[Aditya Birla Group]] holds 26% and the remaining shares will be held by the public.<ref name="mergeraug"/> However, even after the merger both the brands have been continued to carry their own independent brands.<ref name="mergeraug"/>

With all this consolidation, the Indian mobile market has turned into a four-player market, with [[Jio]] as the number-one player, with revenue market share of 34%, [[Airtel India]] in second position, with revenue market share of 28% and [[Vodafone Idea|Vi]], with revenue market share of 27%. The government operator BSNL/MTNL is in the distant 4th position, with an approximate market share of 11%<ref>{{Cite news|last=Parbat|first=Kalyan|date=August 28, 2018|title=Reliance Jio {{!}} Mukesh Ambani: Reliance Jio inches closer to Bharti Airtel in terms of revenue market share|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/reliance-jio-inches-closer-to-bharti-airtel-in-terms-of-revenue-market-share/articleshow/65556052.cms|access-date=2021-06-06|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131914/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/reliance-jio-inches-closer-to-bharti-airtel-in-terms-of-revenue-market-share/articleshow/65556052.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Wireless operators ==

As of 30.09.2025 there are around 1183.32 million wireless subscribers in India according to [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Telecom Subscription Reports |url=https://trai.gov.in/release-publication/reports/telecom-subscriptions-reports |website=TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA}}</ref>

{{Pie chart
| caption = Market share of Wireless Mobile operators in India as of 30.09.2025, according to the [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI)<ref name="Traidata">{{cite web |title=Telecom Subscription Data as on 31 December 2024 |url=https://www.trai.gov.in/notifications/press-release/trai-releases-telecom-subscription-data-30th-november-2024}}</ref>
| value1 = 41.24
| label1 = Jio
| color1 = #0a2885
| value2 = 33.53
| label2 = Airtel
| color2 = #e90000
| value3 = 17.33
| label3 = Vodafone Idea
| color3 = #ffd300
| value4 = 7.90
| label4 = BSNL
| color4 = #FF6600
}}

=== Mobile operators ===

Over the past decade, the Indian cellular services market has seen rapid consolidation. The launch of [[Jio Platforms]] in 2016 changed the market dynamics substantially as the company offered free data and voice services during its first year of operations, prompting a fierce price war in the market. [[Jio]] managed to garner over 8 crore (80 million) subscribers. In 2018, [[airtel India]] lost its market leadership position for the first time in 15 years as a result of the completion of a merger between then telecom giants [[Vodafone India]] and [[Idea Cellular]].

==== Active operators ====

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+List of active mobile operators in the country (as on 30.09.2025)
!Operator
(Estd.)
!Brands
!Total Subscribers ([[million]])
!Active Subscribers (million) 
!Technologies
!Ownership
!Notes
|-
|'''[[Jio]]''' (2016)
|Jio
|482.70
|471.92
|5G (VoNR), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi)
|[[Jio Platforms]] (100%)
|Not to be confused with [[Reliance Communications]].
|-
|'''[[Airtel India|Airtel]]''' (1995)
|Airtel 
|392.41
|389.16
|5G, 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G
|[[Bharti Enterprises]] (66.57)
[[Singtel]] (32.15)
[[Google]] (1.28%)
|The 'airtel' brand is operated by Bharti Hexacom Limited in [[Rajasthan]] and [[Northeast India|North-East India]]. Bharti Airtel owns 70% of Bharti Hexacom, while [[Telecommunications Consultants India|TCIL]] ([[Government of India]]) owns the remaining 30%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bharti Hexacom |url=https://www.bhartihexacom.in/index.html |access-date= |website=Bharti Hexacom}}</ref>
Subscriber count and active users include Bharti Hexacom.
|-
|'''[[Vodafone Idea]]''' (2018)
|Vi
|202.81
|171.54
|5G (limited cities), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Gagandeep |title=India's Vodafone Idea to shut down 3G network On year 2022 |url=https://www.lightreading.com/services/indias-vodafone-idea-to-shut-down-3g-network/d/d-id/767407 |website=Light Reading}}</ref>
|[[Government of India]] (49%)<br />[[Vodafone Group]] (16%)<br />[[Aditya Birla Group]] (9.5%)<br />[[Private equity|Public Shareholding]] (25.5%)
|In February 2023, the [[Government of India]] converted ₹16,133 crore (~US$1.9 billion) debt owed to it by the operator into equity, after the company opted for the option given to it under a 'telecom reforms package'.<ref>{{Cite web  |first1=Aneesh |last1=Phadnis |first2=Abhijit |last2=Lele |first3=Surajeet |last3=Das Gupta |date=2023-02-03 |title=Govt gets 33% stake in Vodafone Idea, promoters to invest as well |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/govt-clears-vi-s-interest-conversion-to-become-largest-single-shareholder-123020301731_1.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[BSNL Mobile]]''' (2000)
|BSNL
|92.27
|55.59
|4G (VoLTE), 3G, 2G
|[[Government of India]] (100%)
|BSNL (VNO's) operates only in [[Tamil Nadu]]. BSNL is testing VoWifi services.
|}

==== Defunct operators ====

As of 2025, 17 mobile operators have ceased operations in India. The longest operating defunct operator is MTNL which was also the first mobile operator in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Govt starts process to delist MTNL for merger with BSNL |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/govt-starts-process-to-delist-mtnl-for-merger-with-bsnl/ar-AA18l9i3 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=MSN |language=en-IN}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+List of notable mobile operators that provided services in the country (as on 30 September 2025)
!Operator
!Started operations
!Ceased operations
!Fate
|-
|'''Modi Telstra'''
|1995'''<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2020-07-31 |title=25 years of Mobility in India: The first mobile phone call was made on this day |url=https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/25-years-of-mobility-in-india-the-first-mobile-phone-call-was-made-on-this-day-71596188645410.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=HT Tech |language=en}}</ref>'''
|2000
|Merged into Axiata<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/modi-to-merge-with-telstra-and-spice--243254|title=Modi To Merge With Telstra And Spice|website=TelecomPaper|language=en|date=2000-06-22|access-date=2019-05-19}}</ref>
|-
|'''Escotel'''
|1996
|2004
|Merged into Idea Cellular<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/idea-acquires-escotel-largest-deal-in-indian-telecom-sector_141768.html|title=Idea acquires Escotel, largest deal in Indian telecom sector|website=Zee News|language=en|date=2004-01-15|access-date=2021-08-05}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[S Tel]]'''
|2008
|2012
|Licence cancelled by the [[Supreme Court of India]]
|-
|'''[[Etisalat]]'''
|2010<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/etisalat-enters-india-sets-up-back-office-at-ambattur-in-north-chennai/articleshow/4698146.cms |title=Etisalat enters India, sets up back office at Ambattur in North Chennai |work=[[The Economic Times]] |last1=Ramesh |first1=Niranjana |last2=Venkataraman |first2=Hemamalini |date=2009-06-24 |access-date=2020-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909214814/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/etisalat-enters-india-sets-up-back-office-at-ambattur-in-north-chennai/articleshow/4698146.cms |archive-date=2020-09-09 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|2012
|Licence cancelled by the Supreme Court of India<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Etisalat-to-shut-India-operations/articleshow/11998887.cms |title=Etisalat to shut India operations |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=2012-02-23 |access-date=2019-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404205236/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Etisalat-to-shut-India-operations/articleshow/11998887.cms |archive-date=2013-04-04 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Loop Mobile]]'''
|1995
|2014
|Ceased operations after expiration of licence<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telecomtalk.info/loop-mobile-mumbai-shutting-down/123365/|title=TRAI Directs Loop Mobile To Inform Subscribers of Its Closure|website=TelecomTalk|language=en-US|date=2020-10-02|access-date=2019-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518094532/https://telecomtalk.info/loop-mobile-mumbai-shutting-down/123365/|archive-date=2019-05-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| '''Virgin Mobile / T24 Mobile'''
|2009<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telecomtalk.info/virgin-mobile-set-to-launch-gsm-service-in-india/2694/|title=VIRGIN MOBILE READY TO LAUNCH GSM SERVICE IN INDIA|website=TelecomTalk|language=en-US|date=2009-04-15|access-date=2020-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510153206/http://telecomtalk.info/virgin-mobile-set-to-launch-gsm-service-in-india/2694/|archive-date=2013-05-10|url-status=live}}</ref>
|2015
|Merged into Tata DoCoMo<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telecomtalk.info/virgin-mobile-now-tata-docomo/132939/|title=Exclusive: Virgin Mobile will be merged into the parent operator Tata Docomo with effect from March 27|website=TelecomTalk|language=en-US|date=2015-03-26|access-date=2019-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518094529/https://telecomtalk.info/virgin-mobile-now-tata-docomo/132939/|archive-date=2019-05-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Axiata]]'''
|1995
|2016
|Merged into Idea Cellular<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/idea-spice-merger-may-ring-in-gains-for-malaysian-ally/articleshow/5187473.cms|title=Idea-Spice merger may ring in gains for Malaysian ally|last=Parbat|first=Kalyan|date=2009-11-02|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=2019-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909225950/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/telecom/idea-spice-merger-may-ring-in-gains-for-malaysian-ally/articleshow/5187473.cms|archive-date=2020-09-09|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Videocon Telecom]]'''
|2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telecomtalk.info/videocon-to-launch-gsm-mobile-services-in-100-cities-in-100-days/21112/|title=Videocon To Launch GSM Mobile Services in 100 Cities in 100 Days|website=TelecomTalk|language=en-US|last=Bafna|first=Sanjay|date=2010-03-07|access-date=2020-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503043926/http://telecomtalk.info/videocon-to-launch-gsm-mobile-services-in-100-cities-in-100-days/21112/|archive-date=2015-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref>
|2016
|Shut down following sale of spectrum to [[Airtel India|Airtel]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.datareign.com/videocon-telecom-shutdown-mobile-services.html|title=Videocon Telecom to shut down Mobile Services on 11th May 2016|last=Varma|date=2016-05-04|website=DataReign|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518094529/https://www.datareign.com/videocon-telecom-shutdown-mobile-services.html|archive-date=2019-05-18|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telecomtalk.info/videocon-to-shut-down-gsm-operations-in-11-circles-including-mumbai-asks-customers-to-port-out-before-18-january/103701/|title=Videocon To Shut Down GSM Operations in 11 Circles Including Mumbai, Asks Customers To Port Out Before 18 January|website=TelecomTalk|language=en-US|last=Bafna|first=Sanjay|date=2013-01-03|access-date=2020-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607231337/https://telecomtalk.info/videocon-to-shut-down-gsm-operations-in-11-circles-including-mumbai-asks-customers-to-port-out-before-18-january/103701/|archive-date=2019-06-07|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Singtel]]'''
|2009
|2017
|Acquired by Reliance Communications
|-
|'''[[MTS India|MTS]]'''
|2009
|2017
|Acquired by Reliance Communications<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/reliance-communication-gets-bombay-hc-approval-for-sistema-acquisition/articleshow/54739451.cms|title=Reliance Communication gets Bombay HC approval for Sistema acquisition|website=[[The Economic Times]]|language=en-US|date=2016-10-08|access-date=2020-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820013841/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/reliance-communication-gets-bombay-hc-approval-for-sistema-acquisition/articleshow/54739451.cms|archive-date=2020-08-20|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Aircel]]'''
|1999
|2018
|Bankrupt<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/aircel-files-for-bankruptcy/article22879716.ece|title=Aircel files for bankruptcy|last=Pandey|first=Piyush|date=2018-02-28|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2019-05-18}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Telenor India|Telenor]]'''
|2006
|2018
|Acquired by Airtel<ref name="tata-telenor">{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Money/QcujIIhjTJ8KMqYRMUKSMO/Tata-Tele-deal-How-Airtel-is-getting-a-billiondollar-busin.html|title=Tata Tele deal: How Airtel is getting a billion-dollar business for free|last=Philipose|first=Mobis|date=2017-10-13|website=LiveMint|language=en|access-date=2019-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518094526/https://www.livemint.com/Money/QcujIIhjTJ8KMqYRMUKSMO/Tata-Tele-deal-How-Airtel-is-getting-a-billiondollar-busin.html|archive-date=2019-05-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Idea Cellular]]'''
|2002
|2018
|Merged with Vodafone India to form [[Vodafone Idea]]<ref name="nclt-go-ahead-et" /><ref name="nclt-approval-lm" />
|-
|'''[[Vodafone India]]'''
|2011
|2018
|Merged with Idea Cellular to form Vodafone Idea<ref name="nclt-go-ahead-et">{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/nclt-gives-go-ahead-to-idea-vodafone-merger/articleshow/65616161.cms |title=NCLT gives go-ahead to Idea-Vodafone merger |last1=Parbat |first1=Kalyan |date=2018-08-31 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=2018-09-01 |last2=Sengupta |first2=Devina|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424080436/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/nclt-gives-go-ahead-to-idea-vodafone-merger/articleshow/65616161.cms|archive-date=2019-04-24|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nclt-approval-lm">{{Cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Industry/2E0PXuw33i4eyhDtaQbMEN/NCLT-approves-IdeaVodafone-merger.html|title=NCLT approves Idea-Vodafone merger|last=Pandey|first=Navadha|date=2018-01-12|website=LiveMint|access-date=2018-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621070110/https://www.livemint.com/Industry/2E0PXuw33i4eyhDtaQbMEN/NCLT-approves-IdeaVodafone-merger.html|archive-date=2018-06-21|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Tata Docomo|Tata DoCoMo]]'''
|2009
|2019
|Acquired by Airtel<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/jio-tata-tele-merger-completed/article28251509.ece |title= Airtel completes Tata merger |publisher= [[Business Line]]|date=2019-06-05 |access-date=2019-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909233138/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/airtel-tata-tele-merger-completed/article28251509.ece|archive-date=2020-09-09|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Reliance Communications]]'''
|2004
|2019
|Declared bankruptcy, subsequently acquired by [[Jio]]<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/business/tribunal-admits-anil-ambanis-reliance-communications-for-bankruptcy-2035627|title=Tribunal Admits Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications For Bankruptcy|date=2019-05-10|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2019-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518094540/https://www.ndtv.com/business/tribunal-admits-anil-ambanis-reliance-communications-for-bankruptcy-2035627|archive-date=2019-05-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited|MTNL]]'''
|1986
|2025
|Merged into [[BSNL]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Govt starts process to delist MTNL for merger with BSNL |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/govt-starts-process-to-delist-mtnl-for-merger-with-bsnl/ar-AA18l9i3 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=MSN |language=en-IN}}</ref>
|}

==Wireline operators==

===Fixed-line operators===
As of 30.09.2025, there are 46.61 million wireline subscribers in India according to [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI).<ref name=":3" />
{{Pie chart
| caption = Market share of fixed-line telecom operators in India as of 31.08.2025,  according to the [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]]<ref name=":3"/>
| label1 = [[Jio]]
| value1 = 30.39
| color1 = Blue
| label2 = [[Airtel India|Airtel]]
| value2 = 22.87
| color2 = Red
| label3 = [[Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited|BSNL]]
| value3 = 16.15
| color3 = Orange
| label4 = [[Tata Teleservices]]
| value4 = 23.64
| color4 = Violet
| label5 = [[Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited|MTNL]]
| value5 = 3.34
| color6 = Gray
| value6 = 3.41
| color7 = Green
| label6 = Others
}}

Number of suscribers of all the 10 companies are tabulated as follows: 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:left;"
! Operator !! Subscribers<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/india-ranks-67th-in-fixed-line-109th-in-mobile-broadband-speed-ookla/articleshow/63471893.cms|title=India ranks 67th in fixed-line, 109th in mobile broadband speed: Ookla|date=2018-03-26|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-03-28|archive-date=15 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915070354/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/india-ranks-67th-in-fixed-line-109th-in-mobile-broadband-speed-ookla/articleshow/63471893.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> ([[lakh]]) !! Ownership
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''[[Jio]]'''|| 141.64||[[Jio Platforms]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''[[Tata Teleservices]]'''|| 110.21 ||[[Tata Group]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align:left;"
| [[Airtel India|'''Airtel''']]|| 106.62 ||[[Bharti Airtel]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''[[BSNL Broadband|BSNL]]'''||  75.30||[[Government of India]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''[[MTNL Broadband|MTNL]]'''||  15.58||[[Government of India]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align:left;"
| [[Vodafone Idea|'''Vi''']]|| 7.81|| [[Vodafone Group]]
[[Aditya Birla Group]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''[[APSFL]]'''|| 4.11|| [[Andhra Pradesh Government]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''Quadrant'''|| 3.38 ||[[Videocon Telecom]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''[[Reliance Communications]]'''|| 0.97|| [[Reliance Group]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''[[STPL]]'''|| 0.51|| [[Sudhana Telecommunications Private Limited]]
|}

== Internet service providers (ISPs) ==
[[Internet service provider]]s (ISPs) offering broadband (wired + wireless) services. The total number of broadband subscribers stood at 995.63 million as of 30.09.2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Service Provider List |url=https://www.trai.gov.in/consumer-info/telecom/service-provider-list |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Telecom Subscription Data as on 31st December, 2023 |url=https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.07of2024_0.pdf}}</ref> Total Wireless broadband subscribers stood at 935.02 million and wireline broadband subscribers stood at 44.69 million.<ref name="Traidata"/> 

{{Pie chart
| caption = Market share of broadband (wired + wireless) services in India as of 30.09.2025, according to the [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI)<ref name="Traidata"/>
| label1 = [[Jio]]
| value1 = 50.77
| color1 = Blue
| label2 = [[Airtel India|Airtel]]
| value2 = 31.18
| color2 = Red
| label3 = [[Vodafone Idea|Vi]]
| value3 = 12.83
| color3 = Yellow
| label4 = [[BSNL Broadband|BSNL]]
| value4 = 3.49
| color4 = Orange
| label5 = [[Atria Convergence Technologies|ACT]]
| value5 = 0.24
| color5 = Violet
| label6 = Others
| value6 = 1.50
| color6 = Cyan
}}

As of 30.09.2025, top five Wireless Broadband Service providers which have market share of 99.99% is as follows:
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:left;"
! Operator !! Subscribers<ref name=":0" /> ([[million]]) !! Ownership
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''[[Jio]]'''|| 492.27 ||[[Jio Platforms]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| [[Airtel India|'''Airtel''']] || 300.62 ||[[Bharti Airtel]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| [[Vodafone Idea|'''Vi''']] || 127.77 ||[[Vodafone Group]]
[[Aditya Birla Group]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| [[BSNL Broadband|'''BSNL''']] || 30.31 || [[Government of India]]
|- style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"
| '''IBus Virtual Network Services Private Limited'''|| 0.12 ||
|}

The following table shows the top 5 wired broadband service providers in India by total subscriber base as of 30.09.2025 which hold market share of 69.90%
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Provider
!Subscribers<ref name=":0" /> ([[million]])
!Ownership
|-
|'''[[JioFiber]]'''
|13.20
|[[Jio Platforms]]
|-
|[[Airtel India|'''Airtel Xtream Fiber''']]
|9.80
|[[Bharti Airtel]]
|-
|[[BSNL Broadband|'''BSNL''']]
|4.40
|[[Government of India]]
|-
|[[Atria Convergence Technologies|'''ACT''']]
|2.34
|India Value Fund Advisors
[[TA Associates]]
|-
|'''[[Kerala Vision Broadband Ltd|KVBL]]'''
|1.42
|
|}
=== Other notable ISPs === <!-- Please do not add entries without either a Wikipedia article or a reliable verifiable source, otherwise it will be removed. -->
{| class="wikitable"
!Provider
!Ownership
|-
|[[Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited|'''APSFL''']]
|[[Government of Andhra Pradesh]]
|-
|'''[[Asianet Broadband]]'''
|Rajan Raheja Group
|-
|'''[[DEN Networks]]'''
|[[Reliance Industries]]
|-
|'''[[Hathway]]'''
|[[Reliance Industries]]
|-
|'''[[RailTel]]'''
|[[Government of India]]
|-
|'''[[Sify]]'''
|Sify Group
|-
|'''[[Tata Play]]'''
|[[Tata Group]] (70%) <br />[[The Walt Disney Company India]] (30%) 
|-
|'''[[Excitel Broadband|Excitel]]'''
|
|}

=== For enterprise/wholesale only === <!-- Please do not add entries without either a Wikipedia article or a reliable verifiable source, otherwise it will be removed. -->
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Provider
!Ownership
|-
|'''CtrlS Datacenters'''
|CtrlS Labs
|-
|'''[[ERNET]]'''
|[[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]]
|-
|'''[[GAILTEL]]'''
|[[Government of India]]
|-
|'''[[National Knowledge Network]]<br />{{small|(for educational institutions only)}}'''
|[[Government of India]]
|-
|'''[[PowerGrid Corporation of India|PowerTel]]'''
|[[Government of India]]
|-
|'''[[Tulip Telecom]]'''
|Tulip Enterprises
|}

==Television broadcasting==
{{Main|Television in India}}
{{further|Direct-to-home television in India}}
{{see also||List of Indian television stations}}
[[File:STS008-44-611.jpg|thumb|right|INSAT-1B satellite: Broadcasting sector in India is highly dependent on [[Indian National Satellite System|INSAT]] system.]]
Television broadcasting began in India in 1959 by ''[[Doordarshan]]'', a state-run medium of communication, and had slow expansion for more than two decades.<ref name="Kaminsky2011">{{cite book|last1=Kaminsky|first1=Arnold P.|last2=Long|first2=Roger D.|title=India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wWDnTWrz4O8C|access-date=12 September 2012|date=30 September 2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-37462-3|pages=684–692|archive-date=29 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329131407/https://books.google.com/books?id=wWDnTWrz4O8C|url-status=live}}</ref> The policy reforms of the government in the 1990s attracted private initiatives in this sector, and since then, satellite television has increasingly shaped popular culture and Indian society. However, still, only the government-owned ''Doordarshan'' has the licence for terrestrial television broadcast. Private companies reach the public using satellite channels; both cable television as well as DTH has obtained a wide subscriber base in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=India overview|url=http://www.tamindia.com/tamindia/Images/Overview_TV_Universe_Update-2012.pdf|publisher=TAM Media Research|access-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814162810/http://www.tamindia.com/tamindia/Images/Overview_TV_Universe_Update-2012.pdf|archive-date=14 August 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

A total of approximately 918 private satellite TV channels have been permitted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) for uplinking only/downlinking only/both uplinking & downlinking.
 
As per the reporting done by broadcasters in pursuance of the Tariff Order dated 3rd March 2017, as amended, out of 908 permitted satellite TV channels which are available for downlinking in India, there are 333 satellite pay TV channels as on 31st March, 2025. Out of 333 pay channels, 232 are SD satellite pay TV channels and 101 are HD satellite pay TV channels.

==Radio==
[[File:AIR FM Tower Mangalore 0203.jpg|thumb|right|upright|AIR Radio Tower]] [[List of Indian-language radio stations|FM radio stations in India]].<ref name="Q22018">{{cite web |title=The Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators July – September, 2018 |url=https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PIR08012019.pdf |publisher=TRAI |access-date=10 January 2019 |archive-date=9 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109205321/https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PIR08012019.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> 
Apart from the radio channels operated by All India Radio – the public broadcaster, as per the data reported by FM Radio operators to TRAI, as on 31st December 2024, there were 388 operational private FM Radio channels in 113 cities operated by 36 private FM Radio operators. During the quarter ending 31st March 2025, six channels operated by three private FM radio operators, namely, (i) Digital Radio (Delhi) Broadcasting Ltd (3 channels), (ii) Digital Radio (Mumbai) Broadcasting Ltd (2 channels), and (iii) Digital Radio (Kolkata) Broadcasting Ltd (1 channel), were merged with South Asia FM Ltd.  Now, as of 31st March 2025, there are 388 operational private FM radio channels across 113 cities, operated by 33 private FM radio operators.

==Next-generation networks (NGN)==
Historically, the role of telecommunication has evolved from that of plain information exchange to a multi-service field, with ''Value Added Services (VAS)'' integrated with various discrete networks like [[Public switched telephone network|PSTN]], [[Public land mobile network|PLMN]], Internet Backbone etc. However, with decreasing [[average revenue per user]] and increasing demand for VAS has become a compelling reason for the service providers to think of the convergence of these parallel networks into a single core network with service layers separated from network layer.<ref name="TRAINGN">{{cite web |title=Consultation paper on NGN licensing |url=http://trai.gov.in/WriteReaddata/ConsultationPaper/Document/NGN.pdf |publisher=TRAI |access-date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310010236/http://trai.gov.in/WriteReaddata/ConsultationPaper/Document/NGN.pdf |archive-date=10 March 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Next-generation network]]ing is such a convergence concept which according to [[ITU-T]] is:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/studygroups/com13/ngn2004/working_definition.html |title=NGN Definition |publisher=ITU |access-date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050911234206/http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/studygroups/com13/ngn2004/working_definition.html |archive-date=11 September 2005 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>{{blockquote |A next-generation network (NGN) is a [[Network packet|packet]]-based [[computer network|network]] which can provide services including Telecommunication Services and able to make use of multiple broadband, [[quality of service]]-enabled transport technologies and in which service-related functions are independent from underlying transport-related technologies. It offers unrestricted access by users to different service providers. It supports generalised mobility which will allow the consistent and ubiquitous provision of services to users.}}

Access network: The user can connect to the IP-core of NGN in various ways, most of which use the standard Internet Protocol (IP). User terminals such as mobile phones, [[personal digital assistant]]s (PDAs) and computers can register directly on NGN-core, even when they are [[roaming]] in another network or country. The only requirement is that they can use IP and [[Session Initiation Protocol]] (SIP). Fixed access (e.g., [[digital subscriber line]] (DSL), [[cable modem]]s, [[Ethernet]]), mobile access (e.g. [[UMTS]], [[CDMA2000]], GSM, [[General Packet Radio Service|GPRS]]) and wireless access (e.g.[[Wireless LAN|WLAN]], [[WiMAX]]) are all supported. Other phone systems like [[plain old telephone service]] and non-compatible [[Voice over IP|VoIP]] systems, are supported through [[gateway (telecommunications)|gateways]]. With the deployment of the NGN, users may subscribe to many simultaneous access-providers providing telephony, internet or entertainment services. This may provide end-users with virtually unlimited options to choose between service providers for these services in NGN environment.<ref name="TRAINGN"/>

The hyper-competition in the telecom market, which was effectively caused by the introduction of ''Universal Access Service (UAS)'' licence in 2003 became much tougher after 3G and 4G [[Indian Telecom Spectrum Auction|competitive auction]]. About {{Convert|670000|km|mi|adj=pre|route-}} of [[Optical fiber|optical fibre]] has been laid in India by the major operators, including in the financially nonviable rural areas and the process continues.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} Keeping in mind the viability of providing services in rural areas, the government of India also took a proactive role to promote the NGN implementation in the country; an expert committee called ''NGN eCO'' was constituted in order to deliberate on the licensing, interconnection and quality of service (QoS) issues related to NGN and it submitted its report on 24 August 2007. Telecom operators found the NGN model advantageous, but huge investment requirements have prompted them to adopt a multi-phase migration and they have already started the migration process to NGN with the implementation of IP-based core-network.<ref name="TRAINGN"/>

==Regulatory environment==
[[LIRNEasia]]'s Telecommunications Regulatory Environment (TRE) index, which summarises stakeholders' perception on certain TRE dimensions, provides insight into how conducive the environment is for further development and progress. The most recent survey was conducted in July 2008 in eight Asian countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Philippines. The tool measured seven dimensions: i) market entry; ii) access to scarce resources; iii) interconnection; iv) tariff regulation; v) anti-competitive practices; and vi) universal services; vii) quality of service, for the fixed, mobile and broadband sectors.

The results for India, point out to the fact that the stakeholders perceive the TRE to be most conducive for the mobile sector followed by fixed and then broadband. Other than for Access to ScarceResources the fixed sector lags behind the mobile sector. The fixed and mobile sectors have the highest scores for Tariff Regulation. Market entry also scores well for the mobile sector
as competition is well entrenched with most of the circles with 4–5 mobile service providers. The broadband sector has the lowest score in the aggregate. The low penetration of broadband of mere 3.87 against the policy objective of 9 million at the end of 2007 clearly indicates that the regulatory environment is not very conducive.<ref name="lirneasia_tre">{{cite web|url=http://lirneasia.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/TRE_India_Final_Nov16.pdf|title=Telecom Regulatory and Policy Environment in India: Results and Analysis of the 2008 TRE Survey|publisher=[[LIRNEasia]]|author=Payal Malik|access-date=14 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211090116/http://lirneasia.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/TRE_India_Final_Nov16.pdf|archive-date=11 December 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2013 the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|home ministry]] stated that legislation must ensure that law enforcement agencies are empowered to intercept communications.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Home-ministry-objects-to-national-telecom-security-policy/articleshow/22600452.cms "Home ministry objects to proposed telecom security policy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926184409/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Home-ministry-objects-to-national-telecom-security-policy/articleshow/22600452.cms |date=26 September 2017 }}, ''The Times of India'' (PTI), 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.</ref>

==S-band spectrum scam==

In India, [[electromagnetic spectrum]], being a scarce resource for wireless communication, is auctioned by the Government of India to telecom companies for use. As an example of its value, in 2010, 20 [[Hertz]] of [[3G]] spectrum was [[Indian Telecom Spectrum Auction|auctioned]] for {{INRConvert|677|b}}. This part of the spectrum is allocated for terrestrial communication (cell phones). However, in January 2005, Antrix Corporation (commercial arm of ISRO) signed an agreement with Devas Multimedia (a private company formed by former ISRO employees and venture capitalists from USA) for lease of [[S band]] transponders (amounting to 70&nbsp;MHz of spectrum) on two ISRO satellites (GSAT 6 and GSAT 6A) for a price of {{INRConvert|14|b}}, to be paid over a period of 12 years. The spectrum used in these satellites (2500&nbsp;MHz and above) is allocated by the [[International Telecommunication Union]] specifically for satellite-based communication in India. Hypothetically, if the spectrum allocation is changed for utilisation for terrestrial transmission and if this 70&nbsp;MHz of spectrum were sold at the 2010 auction price of the 3G spectrum, its value would have been over {{INRConvert|2000|b}}. This was a hypothetical situation. However, the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]] considered this hypothetical situation and estimated the difference between the prices as a loss to the Indian Government.<ref name="Thakur, Pradeep">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Another-spectrum-scam-hits-govt-this-time-from-ISRO/articleshow/7445139.cms|title=Another spectrum scam hits govt, this time from ISRO|author=Thakur|first=Pradeep|date=8 February 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=23 January 2018|location=[[New Delhi]]|archive-date=27 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727213455/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Another-spectrum-scam-hits-govt-this-time-from-ISRO/articleshow/7445139.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Behind the S-band spectrum scandal">{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/behind-the-sband-spectrum-scandal/article1200374.ece | title=Behind the S-band spectrum scandal | work=The Hindu | date=28 September 2011 | access-date=6 February 2015 | archive-date=19 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219053426/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/behind-the-sband-spectrum-scandal/article1200374.ece | url-status=live }}</ref>

There were lapses on implementing Government of India procedures. Antrix/ISRO had allocated the capacity of the above two satellites to Devas Multimedia on an exclusive basis, while rules said it should always be non-exclusive. The [[Union Council of Ministers]] was misinformed in November 2005 that several service providers were interested in using satellite capacity, while the Devas deal was already signed. Also, the Space Commission was kept in the dark while taking approval for the second satellite (its cost was diluted so that Cabinet approval was not needed). ISRO committed to spending {{INRConvert|7.66|b}} of public money on building, launching, and operating two satellites that were leased out for Devas.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

In late 2009, some ISRO insiders exposed information about the Devas-Antrix deal,<ref name="Behind the S-band spectrum scandal"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/20/2862/antrix-devas-news-lalit-shastri/#main|title=antrix-devas-news-lalit-shastri|date=20 March 2015|publisher=Newsroom24x7|access-date=24 May 2016|archive-date=19 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519214523/http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/20/2862/antrix-devas-news-lalit-shastri/#main|url-status=live}}</ref> and the ensuing investigations resulted in the deal being annulled. [[G. Madhavan Nair]] (ISRO Chairperson when the agreement was signed) was barred from holding any post under the Department of Space. Some former scientists were found guilty of "acts of commission" or "acts of omission". Devas and Deutsche Telekom demanded US$2&nbsp;billion and US$1&nbsp;billion, respectively, in damages.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Antrix-Devas-and-the-second-generation-scam/2013/08/22/article1745659.ece | title=Antrix Devas and the second generation scam | work=The New Indian Express | date=22 August 2013 | access-date=6 February 2015 | author=Jethmalani, Ram | location=New Delhi | archive-date=6 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206055725/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Antrix-Devas-and-the-second-generation-scam/2013/08/22/article1745659.ece | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] concluded investigations into the Antrix-Devas scam and registered a case against the accused in the Antrix-Devas deal under Section 120-B, besides Section 420 of IPC and Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988 on 18 March 2015 against the then executive director of Antrix Corporation, two officials of USA-based company, Bangalore based private multimedia company, and other unknown officials of Antrix Corporation or Department of Space.<ref>{{cite news|title=CBI registers case in the huge Antrix-Devas scam|url=http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/18/cbi-registers-case-in-the-huge-antrix-devas-scam/|access-date=16 May 2015|publisher=Newsroom24x7.com|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518104746/http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/18/cbi-registers-case-in-the-huge-antrix-devas-scam/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/20/antrix-devas-agreement-national-security-and-cbi/|title=Antrix-Devas Agreement, national security, and CBI|date=20 March 2015|publisher=Newsroom24x7|access-date=24 May 2016|archive-date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503054604/https://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/20/antrix-devas-agreement-national-security-and-cbi/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Devas Multimedia started arbitration proceedings against Antrix in June 2011. In September 2015, the International Court of Arbitration of the [[International Chamber of Commerce]] ruled in favour of Devas, and directed Antrix to pay US$672&nbsp;million (Rs 44.35&nbsp;billion) in damages to Devas.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isros-antrix-to-pay-rs-4432-crore-damages-to-devas-for-unlawfully-cancelling-contract/articleshow/49158235.cms | title=ISRO's Antrix to pay Rs 4,432 crore damages to Devas for unlawfully cancelling contract | date=30 September 2015 | work=The Economic Times | access-date=15 December 2015 | archive-date=5 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105072143/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isros-antrix-to-pay-rs-4432-crore-damages-to-devas-for-unlawfully-cancelling-contract/articleshow/49158235.cms | url-status=live }}</ref> Antrix opposed the Devas plea for tribunal award in the [[Delhi High Court]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/antrix-opposes-devas-plea-over-tribunal-award-in-hc/|title=Antrix opposes Devas plea over tribunal award in HC|author=Mathur|first=Aneesha|date=10 October 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=23 January 2018|location=[[New Delhi]]|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222153015/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/antrix-opposes-devas-plea-over-tribunal-award-in-hc/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{update inline|date=December 2018}}

== Revenue and growth ==

The adjusted gross revenue in the telecom service sector was {{INRConvert|160814|c|lk=|year=2017|1}} in 2017 as against {{INRConvert|198207|c|lk=|year=2016|1}} in 2016, registering a negative growth of 18.87%.<ref name="performance2017">{{Cite web|url=https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/YPIRReport04052018.pdf|title=Yearly Performance Indicators of Indian Telecom Sector (Second Edition) 2017|website=TRAI|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619052032/http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/YPIRReport04052018.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The major contributions to this revenue are as follows (in INR crores):<ref name="performance2017" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Service provider
!Calendar year 2018-19
(in INR crores)
!Calendar year 2019-20
(in INR crores)
!% change
!Q2 2020-21
(in INR crores)
|-
|[[Bharti Airtel|Airtel]]
|80,780.2<ref name=FYAIR2019-20>{{Cite web | url=https://assets.airtel.in/teams/simplycms/web/docs/Airtel-Integrated_Report_and_Annual_Financial_Statements_2019-20.pdf | title=Integrated Report and Annual Financial Statements 2019-20 | page=52 | access-date=27 December 2020 | archive-date=3 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203155805/https://assets.airtel.in/teams/simplycms/web/docs/Airtel-Integrated_Report_and_Annual_Financial_Statements_2019-20.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>
|87,539.0<ref name="FYAIR2019-20"/>
| <span style="color:green">+08.37%</span>
|<nowiki>--</nowiki>
|-
|[[Jio|Reliance Jio]]
|48,660<ref name="FYRIL2019-20">{{Cite web | url=https://www.ril.com/getattachment/299caec5-2e8a-43b7-8f70-d633a150d07e/AnnualReport_2019-20.aspx | title=Annual Report for the year 2019-20 | website=[[Reliance Industries]] | access-date=27 December 2020 | archive-date=24 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424184318/http://www.ril.com/getattachment/2b3a5223-b9a3-4bc1-b9b6-99f9b1e85a07/Financial%20performance%20for%20the%20year%20ended%2031%20Mar,%202019.aspx | url-status=dead }}</ref>
|68,462<ref name="FYRIL2019-20"/>
| <span style="color:green">+40.69%</span>
|<nowiki>--</nowiki>
|-
|[[Vodafone Idea Limited|Vi]]
|37,823.6<ref name="VIFY2019-20">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vodafoneidea.com/content/dam/vodafone-microsite/docs/pdf/investor-/annuanlreports/VIL%20-%20Annual%20Report_2019-20.pdf|title=Vodafone Idea Annual Results 2019-20|website=vodafoneidea.com|access-date=27 December 2020|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129094841/https://www.vodafoneidea.com/content/dam/vodafone-microsite/docs/pdf/investor-/annuanlreports/VIL%20-%20Annual%20Report_2019-20.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 
|45,996.8<ref name="VIFY2019-20"/>
| <span style="color:green">+21.68%</span>
|<nowiki>--</nowiki>
|-
|[[Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited|BSNL]]
|19,308<ref name="FYBSNL2018-19">{{cite web | url=https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/bsnl-estimated-fy19-loss-at-over-rs14000-cr-govt/70059560 | title=Annual Report 2018-19 | publisher=Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. | date=31 March 2019 | access-date=4 July 2019 | archive-date=3 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703181423/https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/bsnl-estimated-fy19-loss-at-over-rs14000-cr-govt/70059560 | url-status=live }}</ref>
|18,906<ref name="FYBSNL2019-20">{{cite web | url=http://tender.bsnl.co.in/bsnltenders/pdf/BSNL%20_Annual%20Report%202019-20.pdf | title=Annual Report 2020 | publisher=Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. | date=31 March 2020 | access-date=4 July 2020 | archive-date=30 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230092914/http://tender.bsnl.co.in/bsnltenders/pdf/BSNL%20_Annual%20Report%202019-20.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> 
| <span style="color:red">-02.08%</span>
|<nowiki>--</nowiki>
|-
| colspan="5" |'''Note:'''
* [[Bharti Airtel]] acquired [[Telenor India]] in May 2018 and the data of Airtel and Telenor India has been merged.
* On 31 August 2018, Vodafone and Idea merged to form the world's second-largest telecom company, and the largest in India, officially known as [[Vodafone Idea|Vi]] and both the companies' data has been merged.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/2E0PXuw33i4eyhDtaQbMEN/NCLT-approves-IdeaVodafone-merger.html|title=NCLT approves Idea-Vodafone merger|last=Pandey|first=Navadha|date=2018-01-12|work=livemint.com|access-date=2018-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621070110/https://www.livemint.com/Industry/2E0PXuw33i4eyhDtaQbMEN/NCLT-approves-IdeaVodafone-merger.html|archive-date=21 June 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* On 1 November 2017, [[MTS India]] merged with [[Reliance Communications]] and their data has been merged.
* Videocon shut down its network and discontinued operations in the Gujarat and UP (West) circles on 26 December 2015, and in the Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and UP (East) circles on 11 May 2016.
* [[Reliance Communications]] discontinued its wireless voice services on 29 December 2017, but continued its data and B2B services until 2018. Reliance Communications filed for bankruptcy as it was unable to sell its assets to [[Jio]] and closed its operations under mobile network division on 26 February 2019.
* On 28 February 2018 [[Aircel]] filed for bankruptcy at [[National Company Law Tribunal|NCLT]] and has discontinued operations.
* Quadrant discontinued its wireless mobile services in April 2017; however, it has continued to provide wired line services in Punjab circle.
* In July 2016, [[Airtel India|Virgin Mobile India]] and [[Airtel India|T24 Mobile]] merged their virtual network operations into [[Tata Docomo]].
* [[Bharti Airtel]] acquired the consumer mobile businesses of [[Tata Teleservices]] which include [[Tata Docomo]] in a debt-free deal on 1 July 2019.
|}

==International==
* Nine satellite earth stations – 8 [[Intelsat]] (Indian Ocean) and 1 [[Inmarsat]] (Indian Ocean region).
* Nine gateway exchanges operating from [[Mumbai]], [[New Delhi]], [[Kolkata]], [[Chennai]], [[Jalandhar]], [[Kanpur]], [[Gandhinagar]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram]].

===Submarine cables===
* LOCOM linking Chennai to [[Penang]], Malaysia
* India-UAE cable linking [[Mumbai]] to [[Fujairah]], UAE.
* [[SEA-ME-WE 3|SEA-ME-WE 2]] (South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 2)
* [[SEA-ME-WE 3]] (South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 3) – Landing sites at [[Kochi]] and [[Mumbai]]. Capacity of 960&nbsp;Gbit/s.
* [[SEA-ME-WE 4]] (South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4) – Landing sites at [[Mumbai]] and [[Chennai]]. Capacity of 1.28&nbsp;Tbit/s.
*[[Fibre-optic Link Around the Globe]] (FLAG-FEA) with a landing site at Mumbai (2000). Initial design capacity 10&nbsp;Gbit/s, upgraded in 2002 to 80&nbsp;Gbit/s, upgraded to over 1&nbsp;Tbit/s (2005).
* [[TIISCS]] (Tata Indicom India-Singapore Cable System), also known as TIC (Tata Indicom Cable), Chennai to Singapore. Capacity of 5.12&nbsp;Tbit/s.
* [[i2i]] – Chennai to Singapore. The capacity of 8.4&nbsp;Tbit/s.
* [[SEACOM (African cable system)|SEACOM]] From Mumbai to the Mediterranean, via South Africa. It joins with [[SEA-ME-WE 4]] off the west coast of Spain to carry traffic onward to London (2009). Capacity of 1.28&nbsp;Tbit/s.
* [[I-ME-WE]] (India-Middle East-Western Europe) with two landing sites at Mumbai (2009). Capacity of 3.84&nbsp;Tbit/s.
* [[Europe India Gateway|EIG]] (Europe-India Gateway), landing at Mumbai(2011). Capacity of 3.84&nbsp;Tbit/s.
* TGN-Eurasia Landing at Mumbai (2012), Capacity of 1.28&nbsp;Tbit/s
* TGN-Gulf Landing at Mumbai (2012), Capacity Unknown.
* [[MENA (cable system)|MENA]] (Middle East North Africa)(Announced).(due ?), Capacity of 5.76&nbsp;Tbit/s.

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Telecommunications|Internet|Technology}} 

* Industry 
** [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India|TRAI]]
** [[Electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry in India]]
** [[Indian Telecom Spectrum Auction]] 

* Services
** [[Common Service Centres]]
** [[Digital India]]
** [[Internet in India]]
** [[Over-the-top media services in India]]
** [[Indian Telecommunication Service]]
** [[Mobile telephone numbering in India]]

* Lists
** [[List of countries by number of broadband Internet subscriptions]]
** [[List of countries by number of Internet users]]
** [[List of countries by Internet connection speeds]]
** [[List of countries by smartphone penetration]]
** [[List of mobile phone brands by country]]
** [[List of telecom companies in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wikibooks|Internet over GPRS on BSNL South India Prepaid Connection and Nokia 3650 Phone}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.trai.gov.in Telecom Regulatory Authority of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324041804/http://www.trai.gov.in/ |date=24 March 2017 }}
* [http://www.coai.com/ Cellular Operators Association of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122141928/http://coai.com/ |date=22 November 2010 }} 
* [https://www.iramradio.com/ IRAM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230092129/https://www.iramradio.com/ |date=30 December 2019 }} - Radio Audience Measurement in India from 2016. 
* [http://www.internetworldstats.com/asia/in.htm Internet Usage Stats and Telecommunications of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104002854/http://www.internetworldstats.com/asia/in.htm |date=4 November 2011 }}
* [http://www.icai.org/resource_file/9958217-227.pdf Accounting & Reporting in Telecom Industry]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314160644/http://www.icai.org/resource_file/9958217-227.pdf |date=14 March 2012 }}
* [http://www.icai.org/resource_file/9958217-227.pdf Mergers & Acquisitions in Indian Telecom Industry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314160644/http://www.icai.org/resource_file/9958217-227.pdf |date=14 March 2012 }}

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