Reliance Jio Infocomm ended January with 4.8 million 5G FWA subscribers, adopted by Bharti Airtel with over 800,000.
In sum – what it is advisable know:
Jio leads the pack – India reached 5.7 million 5G FWA customers by January 2025, with Reliance Jio holding an 85% market share..
Class shift indicators progress – For the primary time, TRAI categorised 5G FWA individually from wireline broadband, highlighting its rising significance as a key income stream for telcos.
Nationwide 5G momentum – India’s whole cell and FWA subscribers hit 1.157 billion, whereas all main operators proceed rolling out 5G networks.
India reached a complete of 5.7 million 5G fastened wi-fi entry (FWA) subscribers by the tip of January, with native operator Reliance Jio Infocomm capturing a 85% share of the section, based on new information from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
This marks the primary time TRAI has listed 5G FWA as a separate class inside wi-fi providers. Till now, these residence broadband connections have been grouped beneath the wireline section. The reclassification underscores the rising relevance of 5G FWA within the Asian nation, which has change into some of the promising income sources for native telcos following important investments in 5G spectrum.
The official statistics confirmed that city facilities have been the primary drivers of progress within the FWA section, accounting for five.5 million customers, whereas rural areas contributed 200,000. Reliance Jio Infocomm ended January with 4.8 million 5G FWA subscribers, adopted by Bharti Airtel with over 800,000.
The most recent statistics additionally revealed that India’s whole telecom subscriber base grew by 2.1 million in January, reaching practically 1.2 billion connections. Reliance Jio Infocomm added 1.6 million customers throughout the month, Bharti Airtel gained 600,000, and Vodafone Concept noticed a lack of 1.3 million subscribers. Jio ended January with 454.7 million prospects, forward of Airtel at 360.7 million and Vodafone Concept at 221.3 million.
The entire variety of wi-fi customers—together with cell and 5G FWA—elevated by 0.5% to 1.157 billion in January, up from 1.151 billion in December 2024. In the meantime, wireline subscriptions noticed a pointy drop of 4.2 million, falling to only over 35 million. TRAI clarified that this decline was as a result of reclassification of 5G FWA connections moderately than precise disconnections.
India had 469,000 5G base stations on the finish of February, based on the newest obtainable figures from the nation’s Ministry of Communications. The ministry stated that 5G protection now extends to all states and 99.6% of districts nationwide.
Indian operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have began their 5G rollouts in October 2022. Presently, each Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm supply 5G networks in all main cities throughout the nation. Whereas Jio is providing standalone 5G (5G SA) know-how, Airtel has to this point opted for non-standalone 5G (5G NSA).
Vodafone Concept not too long ago joined them, launching its 5G service in Mumbai, with plans to launch in new cities quickly.
Vodafone Concept stated it would proceed with the deployment of 5G know-how in India in a phased method. The service had been finishing up 5G trials in numerous telecom circles throughout the nation. As a part of its revival plan, Vodafone Concept had not too long ago raised recent funds to enhance 4G protection and roll out 5G to stop additional subscriber losses.
Additionally, state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Restricted (BSNL) beforehand confirmed it has obtained curiosity from three firms for deploying its 5G Standalone (SA) community in Delhi, masking 1,876 websites throughout the nationwide capital.
To ship 5G SA providers, BSNL will make the most of the 900 MHz and three.3 GHz spectrum bands. Initially, the rollout will goal 100,000 subscribers, with plans to introduce fastened wi-fi entry (FWA) 5G providers. The telco has already began testing its 5G indigenous know-how at three areas in New Delhi — Nehru Place, Chanakyapuri and Minto Street.
BSNL has confirmed that business 5G providers are anticipated to launch in 2025, following profitable community trials.
