January 2026 Telecom Data: Airtel Leads Growth as Broadband Inches Up

In January 2026, around 15.98 million subscribers submitted requests for Mobile Number Portability (MNP). During the same period, the total number of active wireless (mobile) subscribers, measured at peak VLR, stood at 1,172.10 million.

According to data received from 1,480 telecom operators, the total broadband subscriber base increased slightly from 1,050.60 million at the end of December 2025 to 1,052.72 million by the end of January 2026. This reflects a modest monthly growth rate of 0.20%.

In terms of market share, Reliance Jio accounted for over 49% of India’s broadband market, while Bharti Airtel held a 34.13% share, reflecting their dominant positions in the sector.

Subscriber Additions by Telecom Operators

Bharti Airtel recorded the highest growth in January, adding 4.406 million (44.06 lakh) wireless subscribers, marking a strong start to the year. Reliance Jio followed with an addition of 2.437 million (24.37 lakh) new mobile users, as per data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Total Wireless Subscriber Base

Reliance Jio maintained its position as the largest telecom operator, with its total wireless subscriber base reaching 491.4 million (49.14 crore). Bharti Airtel’s subscriber base rose to 467.7 million (46.77 crore), up from 463.3 million (46.33 crore) in December 2025.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea reported a decline in its user base, losing 0.411 million (4.11 lakh) subscribers, bringing its total wireless customer count down to 199 million (19.9 crore).

Broadband Market Leaders

Reliance Jio continued to lead the broadband segment (including both wired and wireless), with a total of 517.5 million (51.75 crore) subscribers. Bharti Airtel ranked second with 359.2 million (35.92 crore) users, followed by Vodafone Idea with 128.9 million (12.89 crore).

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) reported a broadband subscriber base of 29.6 million (2.96 crore).

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