Internet subscriber base reaches 198M; 176M accessing internet via mobile devices: TRAI

Indian internet penetration is increasing at a rapid pace. As per the latest performance indicator study released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) the total internet subscriber base stood at 193.39 million as of June 30, 2013. This is up from 164.81 million in the previous quarter ended March 31, 2013. The number of subscribers accessing internet through mobile devices is 176.50 million, up from 143.2 million in the previous quarter.

"Number of internet subscribers (except internet access by mobile devices) increased from 21.61 million at the end of March 2013 to 21.89 million at the end of June 2013, registering a quarterly growth rate of 1.30 percent," said TRAI in its latest report.

In terms of telecom users, almost all operators saw a dip in wireline subscribers. While BSNL saw a 2.72 per cent decrease from the previous quarter (from 20.45 million to 19.89 million), Tata saw 2.34 per cent dip (from 1.51 million to 1.47 million). MTNL, however, saw a rise in wireline subscribers from 3.46 million in quarter ended March 31, 2013 to 3.55 million in quarter ended June 30, 2013. Overall, the wireline subscribers decreased from 30.21 million to 29.73 million.

Coming to wireless subscribers, Bharti Airtel retained its leadership position with 190.01 million subscribers, followed by Vodafone at 155.03 million subscribers. Reliance had 126.98 million subscribers followed by Idea with 124.98 million and BSNL with 117.88 million. While Bharti Airtel took the lion's share of subscriber base, in terms of net additions during the quarter, Idea recorded the highest addition of 3.36 million.

In total, the wireless subscriber base stood at 873.36 million, up from 867.80 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The total telecom subscriber base stood at 903.09 million at the end of June 30, 2013 which increased 0.56 per cent from the previous quarter. Of this base, 545.48 million is urban subscribers and 357.61 is rural.