India’s telecom sector recorded overall growth in February 2026, with total telephone subscribers rising to around 1,314 million and broadband users crossing 1,052 million, reflecting steady expansion in both wireless and internet services, according to data released yesterday by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

The data showed that the total telephone subscriber base increased from 1,306.14 million in January to about 1,314 million in February, registering a monthly growth of around 0.6 per cent. Wireless subscribers continued to drive the expansion, rising to over 1,266 million, while wireline subscriptions also saw a modest uptick.

Tele-density improved marginally, indicating deeper penetration of telecom services across both urban and rural areas.

Among operators, Reliance Jio retained its position as the largest telecom service provider with a subscriber base of over 460 million, while Bharti Airtel followed with more than 380 million users. VodafoneIdea continued to lag with a base of around 220 million, while state-run BSNL had about 90 million subscribers.

The data indicated that Airtel and Jio added subscribers during the month, whereas Vodafone Idea remained largely flat and BSNL continued to witness a decline.

In terms of net additions, Bharti Airtel emerged as the top gainer during the month, adding the highest number of wireless subscribers, followed by Reliance Jio. Vodafone Idea’s subscriber base showed marginal movement, while BSNL registered a net loss, underscoring continued competitive pressure in the market.

Broadband connectivity continued its upward trajectory, with the total subscriber base increasing from 1,052.72 million in the previous period to over 1,060 million, marking a rise of roughly 7-8 million users on a monthly basis. This translates into a growth rate of around 0.7 per cent, highlighting sustained demand for data services driven by mobile broadband and fixed wireless access.

Reliance Jio maintained its leadership in the broadband segment with a subscriber base of over 470 million, significantly ahead of Bharti Airtel, which had more than 280 million users. Vodafone Idea and BSNL trailed with comparatively smaller shares. The gap between the top two players remained substantial, with Jio leading Airtel by nearly 190 million subscribers in the broadband space.

The report also highlighted continued growth in emerging segments such as 5G-based fixed wireless access (FWA), with subscriber numbers rising steadily, alongside an increase in machine-to-machine (M2M) connections, reflecting expanding digital infrastructure and adoption of connected technologies.