India's internet users cross 1.11 billion in June, prepaid ARPU exceeds postpaid: TRAI
India's internet subscriber base hits 1.11 billion as prepaid ARPU outpaces postpaid, according to the latest TRAI report.
India's digital landscape continues to expand at a massive scale, with the country's internet subscriber base surging past the 1.1 billion mark. According to the latest data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the number of internet users reached 1,114.17 million by the end of June 2026.
This represents a growth of 1.96 per cent compared to the 1,092.79 million subscribers recorded at the end of March 2026. The surge highlights the relentless march of connectivity across the nation, even as certain segments of the market show shifting patterns in revenue and access.
Wireless dominance and broadband surge
The vast majority of India's digital connectivity is driven by mobile technology. Out of the total 1,114.17 million internet subscribers, wireless internet users accounted for a staggering 1,066.43 million, while wired internet subscribers stood at 47.73 million.
Broadband services also saw a significant uptick, with subscriptions rising by 2.03 per cent to reach 1,087.50 million in June, up from 1,065.88 million in March. Conversely, the narrowband segment witnessed a slight decline of 0.89 per cent, dropping to 26.67 million during the same period.
The prepaid revenue surprise
In a notable shift in consumer spending patterns, the Monthly Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for the prepaid segment has surpassed that of postpaid services. For the quarter ending June 2026, the data revealed:
- Prepaid ARPU: Rs 200.72 per month
- Postpaid ARPU: Rs 114.26 per month
This trend indicates that prepaid users are contributing more significantly to the monthly revenue streams of telecom operators than their postpaid counterparts.
Deepening urban-rural digital divide
Despite the massive growth in numbers, the TRAI report highlights a persistent gap in internet penetration between urban and rural India. While the national internet penetration stands at 77.94 subscribers per 100 people, the distribution is heavily skewed:
Penetration Statistics:
- Urban Areas: 129.03 subscribers per 100 people
- Rural Areas: 49.07 subscribers per 100 people
While urban telephone subscribers grew from 778.79 million to 792.06 million, rural telephone numbers also saw an increase, moving from 551.79 million in March to 556.01 million in June. However, the overall share of rural subscriptions saw a slight dip, falling from 41.47 per cent to 41.24 per cent over the quarter.
Wireline and tele-density trends
The report also noted a slight contraction in the wireline sector. Total wireline subscriptions fell by 0.88 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 47.82 million. Consequently, wireline tele-density saw a decline from 3.38 per cent at the end of March to 3.35 per cent by the end of June 2026.