{{short description|Overview of the internet in India}}
{{short description|Overview of the internet in India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2026}}
'''Internet in India''' began in 1986 and was available only to the educational and research community. General public access to the internet began on 15 August 1995, and as of 2020 there are 718.74 million active [[List of countries by number of Internet users|internet users]] that comprise 54.29% of the population.<ref>{{Citation|title=List of countries by number of Internet users|date=2020-06-19|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_countries_by_number_of_Internet_users&oldid=963349650|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2020-06-20}}</ref>
{{Internet}}
{{Culture of India}}
As of May 2014, the Internet is delivered to India mainly by 9 different undersea fibres, including [[SEA-ME-WE 3]], [[Bay of Bengal Gateway]] and [[Europe India Gateway]], arriving at 5 different landing points.<ref>[http://sourcedigit.com/3006-internet-india-comes/ "This is From Where and How Internet in India Comes From?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511112910/http://sourcedigit.com/3006-internet-india-comes/ |date=2015-05-11 }}, Source Digit, 12 May 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2015.</ref> India also has one overland internet connection, at the city of [[Agartala]] near the border with Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agartala/Agartala-becomes-Indias-third-intl-internet-gateway/articleshow/51544682.cms|title=Agartala becomes India's third int'l internet gateway}}</ref>
'''Internet in India''' began in 1986 with access limited to the educational and research community, and public access was launched on 15 August 1995. As of March 2026, India had 1,092.79 million internet subscribers according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), of which 1,065.88 million were broadband subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report for the Quarter January – March, 2026 |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2276780 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |date=22 June 2026 |access-date=21 August 2026}}</ref> By June 2026, the broadband subscriber base had risen further to 1,087.50 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telecom Subscription Data as on June, 2026 |url=https://www.trai.gov.in/release-publication/reports/telecom-subscriptions-reports |publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India |date=28 July 2026 |access-date=21 August 2026}}</ref> DataReportal estimated 1.03 billion internet users in India at the end of 2025, corresponding to 70% penetration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital 2026: India |url=https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2026-india |publisher=DataReportal |access-date=21 August 2026}}</ref> Average monthly mobile data consumption per user exceeded 31 GB in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nokia Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) 2026 |url=https://www.nokia.com/about-us/company/worldwide-presence/india/mbit-index/ |publisher=Nokia |date=31 March 2026 |access-date=21 August 2026}}</ref> The Indian Government has pursued initiatives including [[Digital India]], [[BharatNet]], [[Common Service Centres]], the [[Unified Payments Interface|UPI]] instant payment system, and [[Startup India]] to expand internet-based ecosystems.
The Indian Government has embarked on projects such as [[BharatNet]], [[Digital India]], [[Brand India|Made in India]] and [[Startup India]] to further expedite the growth of internet-based ecosystems.
== History ==
== History ==
===1986: Early days and ERNET ===
The history of internet in [[India]] began with the launch of the [[Educational Research Network]] (ERNET) in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramani |first1=Srinivasan |title=The story of how the Internet came to India: An insider's account |url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/the-story-of-how-the-internet-came-to-india-an-insiders-account-1039533.html |website=News18}}</ref> The network was made available only to educational and research communities.<ref name="News18One">{{cite web|title=20 years of Internet in India: On August 15, 1995 public Internet access was launched in India|url=http://www.news18.com/news/tech/20-years-of-internet-in-india-on-august-15-1995-public-internet-access-was-launched-in-india-1039859.html|website=News18|access-date=29 September 2016|date=15 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002144156/http://www.news18.com/news/tech/20-years-of-internet-in-india-on-august-15-1995-public-internet-access-was-launched-in-india-1039859.html|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> ERNET was initiated by the [[Department of Electronics and Accreditation of Computer Classes|Department of Electronics]] (DoE), with funding from the [[Government of India]] and [[United Nations Development Program]] (UNDP), involving eight premier institutions as participating agencies—NCST Bombay, [[Indian Institute of Science]], five [[Indian Institutes of Technology]] (Delhi, Mumbai, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Chennai), and the DoE in New Delhi. ERNET began as a multi protocol network with both the [[TCP/IP]] and the [[OSI model|OSI]]-IP protocol stacks running over the leased-line portion of the backbone. Since 1995, however, almost all traffic is carried over TCP/IP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eis.ernet.in/about.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-08-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918212827/http://www.eis.ernet.in/about.html |archive-date=2015-09-18 }} </ref> The first leased line of 9.6 kbit/s was installed in January 1991 between Delhi and [[Mumbai]]. ERNET was allotted [[Classful network|Class B IP address]] 144.16.0.0 by [[Network Information Center|NIC]] (then InterNIC) in 1990. Subsequently, Class C addresses were allotted to ERNET by [[APNIC]]. All [[IITs]], [[IISc Bangalore]], DOE Delhi and NCST Mumbai were connected by 9.6 kbit/s leased line by 1992. In the same year, 64 kbit/s Internet gateway link was commissioned from NCST Mumbai to [[UUNet]] in [[Virginia]], United States.
In 1986, the history of the Internet in [[India]] began with the launch of the [[Educational Research Network]] (ERNET).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramani |first1=Srinivasan |title=The story of how the Internet came to India: An insider's account |url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/the-story-of-how-the-internet-came-to-india-an-insiders-account-1039533.html |website=News18 |date=14 August 2015 |access-date=14 May 2019 |archive-date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514131333/https://www.news18.com/news/tech/the-story-of-how-the-internet-came-to-india-an-insiders-account-1039533.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The network was made available only to educational and research communities,<ref name="News18One">{{cite web|title=20 years of Internet in India: On August 15, 1995 public Internet access was launched in India|url=http://www.news18.com/news/tech/20-years-of-internet-in-india-on-august-15-1995-public-internet-access-was-launched-in-india-1039859.html|website=News18|access-date=29 September 2016|date=15 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002144156/http://www.news18.com/news/tech/20-years-of-internet-in-india-on-august-15-1995-public-internet-access-was-launched-in-india-1039859.html|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> even though early pre-internet computer networks had operated in India since the late 1970s by the [[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation]] and the [[Indian Military]], along with general-use networks such as INDONET, NICNET, and VIKRAM. ERNET was initiated by the [[Department of Electronics and Accreditation of Computer Classes|Department of Electronics]] (DoE), with funding from the [[Government of India]] and the [[United Nations Development Program]] (UNDP), involving eight premier institutions: NCST Bombay, [[Indian Institute of Science]], five [[Indian Institutes of Technology]] (Delhi, Mumbai, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Chennai), and the DoE in New Delhi. ERNET began as a multi-protocol network with both the [[TCP/IP]] and the [[OSI model|OSI]]-IP protocol stacks running over the leased-line portion of the backbone. Since 1995, almost all traffic has been carried over TCP/IP.
In 1990, ERNET was allotted [[Classful network|Class B IP address]] 144.16.0.0 by [[Network Information Center|NIC]] (then InterNIC). Subsequently, Class C addresses were allotted by [[APNIC]].<ref name="News18One"/>
In January 1991, the first leased line of 9.6 kbit/s was installed between Delhi and [[Mumbai]]. In 1992, all IITs, IISc Bangalore, DOE Delhi and NCST Mumbai were connected by 9.6 kbit/s leased lines, and a 64 kbit/s Internet gateway link was commissioned from NCST Mumbai to UUNet in Virginia, United States.<ref name="News18One"/>
In 1995, NICNet was established for communications between government institutions and was operated by the [[National Informatics Centre]].<ref name="News18One"/>
=== 1995: Public internet in India===
On 15 August 1995, the first publicly available internet service in India was launched by state-owned [[Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited]] (VSNL).<ref name="Mint1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/R3kgewhIhKscbiELV1sHZM/The-birth-of-the-Internet-in-India.html|title=The birth of the Internet in India|last=Ghosh|first=Shauvik|date=2015-06-29|access-date=2016-09-29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002083708/http://www.livemint.com/Industry/R3kgewhIhKscbiELV1sHZM/The-birth-of-the-Internet-in-India.html|archive-date=2016-10-02}}</ref> At the time, VSNL held a monopoly over international communications and private enterprise was not permitted in the sector. The service, known as the Gateway Internet Access Service (GIAS), provided 9.6 kbit/s speeds and was priced at ₹5,200 for 250 hours for individuals and higher rates for institutional and leased-line accounts. For the next decade the experience remained limited, with narrow-band dial-up connections below 56 kbit/s.
In 1997, [[Integrated Services Digital Network]] (ISDN) access was introduced.
===2004: Broadband ===
In 2004, the government formulated its broadband policy, defining broadband as an always-on Internet connection with a download speed of 256 kbit/s or above. Growth accelerated after 2005 but remained constrained by last-mile access issues that were predominantly wired-line.
===2010: Wireless broadband ===
In 2010, the government auctioned [[3G]] spectrum, followed by [[4G]] spectrum auctions, to improve speeds and reduce dependence on wired last-mile access. In 2013, the minimum broadband speed was raised to 512 kbit/s and further to 2 Mbit/s in 2023.<ref name=hist1>{{cite web | last1=Deep | first1=Aroon | title=Now, at least 2 MBPS speed required to get broadband tag | work=The Hindu | date=3 February 2023 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/india-broadband-definition-updated-to-2mbps-download-speed/article66466409.ece }}</ref>
NICNet was established in 1995 for communications between government institutions. The network was operated by the [[National Informatics Centre]].<ref name="News18One"/>
In 2020, the PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) policy was launched to expand public Wi-Fi hotspots, particularly in rural areas, through Public Data Offices (PDOs).
The first publicly available internet service in India was launched by state-owned [[Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited]] (VSNL) on 15 August 1995.<ref name="Mint1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/R3kgewhIhKscbiELV1sHZM/The-birth-of-the-Internet-in-India.html|title=The birth of the Internet in India|last=Ghosh|first=Shauvik|date=2015-06-29|access-date=2016-09-29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002083708/http://www.livemint.com/Industry/R3kgewhIhKscbiELV1sHZM/The-birth-of-the-Internet-in-India.html|archive-date=2016-10-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/bQkp9arbe4mlaJHQA1xOjO/A-brief-history-of-the-Internet.html|title=A brief history of the Internet|last=Livemint|date=2015-06-30|access-date=2016-09-29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002151814/http://www.livemint.com/Industry/bQkp9arbe4mlaJHQA1xOjO/A-brief-history-of-the-Internet.html|archive-date=2016-10-02}}</ref> At the time, VSNL had a monopoly over international communications in the country and private enterprise was not permitted in the sector. The internet service, known as the Gateway Internet Access Service (GIAS), provided a speed of 9.6 kbit/s speed and was priced at ₹5,200 for 250 hours for individuals, ₹16,200 for institutional dial-up SLIP/PPP accounts, and higher for leased line services. GIAS was available immediately from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. It was made available in [[Pune]] and [[Bangalore]] by the end of 1995, while users from other locations could connect through the [[Department of Telecommunications]]' I-NET, an X.25 network accessed through leased lines or at a concessional [[Dial-up Internet access|dial-up]] rate from almost anywhere. The connection between VSNL and [[MCI Inc.]] in the United States was made with multiple 64kbit/s links.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/vsnlnow.html|title=VSNL starts India's first Internet service today|website=Dxm.org|access-date=27 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901102755/http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/vsnlnow.html|archive-date=1 September 2015}}</ref>
=== 2016: Reliance Jio and the digital explosion ===
The service was plagued by several hardware and network issues. B.K. Syngal, then chairman and managing director of VSNL, publicly apologized and took responsibility for the issues. Syngal stated that the company had not conducted any survey of the potential demand for the service. The [[modem]]s used by VSNL were of poor quality, and often would make a beeping sound every three minutes and subsequently disconnect. The connections also faced junction issues when users attempted to connect between [[Internet exchange point|internet exchanges]]. VSNL had designed each line to handle 30 customers at a time, which would quickly swell to full capacity. VSNL invested {{Indian Rupee}}20-25 million on the launch and planning to invest further in coming years. Recalling the launch in 2015, Syngal described the amount as "pathetic".<ref name="Mint1"/>
On 5 September 2016, [[Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited]] commercially launched an all-IP 4G network based on Voice over LTE (VoLTE), skipping legacy 2G/3G infrastructure. The launch offered free voice calls and high-speed 4G data during promotional periods, followed by prices of roughly ₹10–₹50 per GB—over 90% cheaper than prevailing rates. This triggered rapid subscriber growth exceeding 100 million within 170 days and is widely referred to as the "[[Jio Effect]]".
Despite the issues, VSNL's internet service garnered 10,000 subscribers within the first 6 months of the launch. The company invested {{INR}}100-150 million to re-design the service. The internet service got a boost in popularity after a successful demo at the [[NASSCOM]] meeting at the [[Nehru Centre]] in Mumbai in 1996. VSNL's booth demonstrating the capabilities of the internet received a large number of visitors.<ref name="Mint1"/> However, for the next 10 years the Internet experience in the country remained less attractive with narrow-band connections having speeds less than 56 kbit/s (dial-up).<ref name="Trai-rec"/> To meet the growing demand for internet access, VSNL, in cooperation with the DoT, added new [[Point of presence|points of presence]] (POP) on the Internet. In 1997, new POPs opened in Kanpur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Patna and Goa. By 1998, the network comprised around 40 POPs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/focus/foyr98/fo0999/fo0209981.html|title=Focus|last=nicpib4|website=Pib.nic.in|access-date=2016-09-30|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215074132/http://pib.nic.in/focus/foyr98/fo0999/fo0209981.html|archive-date=2017-02-15}}</ref>
===2023–present: 5G and preparation for 6G ===
[[Integrated Services Digital Network]] (ISDN) access was introduced in 1997.<ref name=":0" />
Commercial 5G services began in 2022–2023 and became the primary driver of higher speeds and data traffic. By 2025, 5G accounted for nearly 47% of total mobile broadband traffic, with monthly 5G traffic reaching 12.9 exabytes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nokia Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) 2026 |url=https://www.nokia.com/about-us/company/worldwide-presence/india/mbit-index/ |publisher=Nokia |date=31 March 2026 |access-date=21 August 2026}}</ref> The [[Bharat 6G Alliance]] (B6GA), an industry–academia partnership, has driven indigenous 6G research aimed at positioning India as a global leader by 2030.
In 2004, the government formulated its broadband policy which defined [[Broadband Internet access|broadband]] as "an always-on Internet connection with download speed of 256 kbit/s or above."<ref name="Trai-rec">{{cite web|url=http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/Recommendation/Documents/Rcommendation81210.pdf|title=Broadband status in India|publisher=TRAI|page=21|access-date=20 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927084149/http://trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/Recommendation/Documents/Rcommendation81210.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref> From 2005 onward, the growth of the broadband sector in the country accelerated, but remained below the growth estimates of the government and related agencies due to resource issues in last-mile access which were predominantly wired-line technologies. This bottleneck was removed in 2010 when the government auctioned [[3G]] spectrum followed by an equally high-profile auction of [[4G]] spectrum that set the scene for a competitive and invigorated wireless broadband market. Today, internet access in India is provided by both public and private companies using a variety of technologies and media including dial-up (PSTN), xDSL, coaxial cable, Ethernet, FTTH, ISDN, HSDPA (3G), WiFi, WiMAX, etc. at a wide range of speeds and costs.<ref name="yourstory.com">{{cite web|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/india-to-have-second-largest-internet-user-base-by-year-end-iamai-622921|title=India Set to Beat US as Second-Largest Internet Market|work=NDTV Gadgets|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119094643/http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/india-to-have-second-largest-internet-user-base-by-year-end-iamai-622921|archive-date=2014-11-19}}</ref>
== Technologies ==
==Technologies==
{{Pie chart
{{Pie chart
| thumb = left
| thumb = left
| caption = Wired internet access technologies by usage share (December 2018).<ref name="TRAIpir"/>
| caption = Wired Internet access technologies by usage share (approximate recent TRAI data):
| other =
| other =
| label1 =[[DSL]]
| label1 = [[Fiber to the x|Fibre]]
| value1 =56.56
| value1 = 87
| color1 =green
| color1 = blue
| label2 =[[Dial up]]
| label2 = [[Ethernet]]/[[LAN]]
| value2 =15.97
| value2 = 7.5
| color2 =red
| color2 = green
| label3 =[[Ethernet]]/[[LAN]]
| label3 = [[DSL]]
| value3 =14.90
| value3 = 2.9
| color3 =orange
| color3 = orange
| label4 =[[Cable modem]]
| label4 = [[Cable modem]]
| value4 =6.35
| value4 = 1.9
| color4 =sienna
| color4 = red
| label5 =[[Fiber to the x|Fibre]]
| label5 = [[Leased line]]
| value5 =5.65
| value5 = 0.7
| color5 =blue
| color5 = sienna
| label6 =[[Leased line]]
| label6 = [[Dial-up]]
| value6 =00.56
| value6 = 0.01
| color6 =fuchsia
| color6 = fuchsia
}}
}}
{{Pie chart
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| thumb = right
| caption = Wireless internet access technologies by usage share (December 2018).<ref name="TRAIpir"/>
| caption = Wireless Internet access technologies by usage share (approximate recent TRAI data):
The following frequencies are used to provide wireless internet services in India:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gsmarena.com/network-bands.php3?sCountry=INDIA|title=Mobile networks - GSM and 3G coverage|work=gsmarena.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731015243/http://www.gsmarena.com/network-bands.php3?sCountry=INDIA|archive-date=2013-07-31}}</ref>
* CDMA : 800 MHz (for 1x voice and data & EVDO Rev A, Rev B, Rev B Phase II data)
===Wired internet===
=== Wireless Internet ===
Fixed-line or wired internet technologies used in India include [[digital subscriber line]], (DSL), [[Dial-up Internet access]], [[ethernet]] and [[local area network]] (LAN), [[Cable modem]], [[Fiber to the x|fibre to the home]], and [[leased line]].<ref name="TRAIpir"/>
== Internet speed ==
Frequencies used for wireless Internet services in India include:
The first commercially launched internet service in India offered dial-up speeds of up to 9.6 kbit/s in 1995. With the advent of better modems, the network speed was increased to 14.4. kbit/s, followed by 28.8 and 33.4 kbit/s accesses by 1998. Dial-up was later upgraded to provide speeds up to 56 kbit/s on analog lines.<ref name=":0" /> In 2004, the government formulated its broadband policy which defined broadband as "an always-on Internet connection with download speed of 256 kbit/s or above."<ref name="Trai-rec" /> The definition was amended in July 2013 defining broadband as a "data connection that supports interactive services, including internet access, capable of a minimum download speed of 256 kbps to an individual subscriber."<ref>{{cite web|title=TRAI directs operators to ensure minimum 512Kbps speed for broadband subscribers, asks operators to SMS customers about usage limits: Report|url=https://telecomtalk.info/trai-512kbps-speed-for-broadband-subscribers-asks-operators-to-sms-customers-about-usage-limits/158416/|website=Telecom Talk|access-date=1 November 2016|date=1 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103215449/https://telecomtalk.info/trai-512kbps-speed-for-broadband-subscribers-asks-operators-to-sms-customers-about-usage-limits/158416/|archive-date=3 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/fixed-broadband-consumers-to-get-minimum-512-kbps-speed/articleshow/55158477.cms|title=Fixed broadband consumers to get minimum 512 kbps speed|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=2016-11-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104033107/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/fixed-broadband-consumers-to-get-minimum-512-kbps-speed/articleshow/55158477.cms|archive-date=2016-11-04}}</ref> The minimum download speed was officially raised from 256 kbit/s to 512 kbit/s in August 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gadgetsnow.com/tech-news/Minimum-broadband-speed-set-to-jump-4-times/articleshow/53779179.cms|title=Minimum broadband speed set to jump 4 times {{!}} Gadgets Now|website=Gadget Now|access-date=2016-11-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026211818/http://www.gadgetsnow.com/tech-news/Minimum-broadband-speed-set-to-jump-4-times/articleshow/53779179.cms|archive-date=2016-10-26|date=2016-08-19}}</ref>
* [[5G]]: Multiple mid-band and mmWave bands allocated through auctions and administrative assignment
On 31 October 2016, TRAI issued a directive to all fixed broadband ISPs ordering them to ensure that the minimum download speed of a connection would not drop below 512 kbit/s even after a subscriber had used up their assigned data limits. TRAI also ordered all ISPs to notify their subscribers through SMS or email when the subscriber had consumed 50%, 90% and 100% of their assigned data limit. All TSPs are also required to maintain a portal or website where subscribers can view their usage pattern at any time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/mgocmE1IJUUueNggUWD2NK/Inform-broadband-users-of-data-usage-limit-speed-Trai-tell.html|title=Inform broadband users of data usage limit, speed, Trai tells telcos|last=PTI|date=2016-10-31|newspaper=Mint|access-date=2016-11-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101120027/http://www.livemint.com/Industry/mgocmE1IJUUueNggUWD2NK/Inform-broadband-users-of-data-usage-limit-speed-Trai-tell.html|archive-date=2016-11-01}}</ref>
=== Wired Internet ===
In January 2019, ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]'' reported that DoT officials planned to raise the minimum broadband speed to 2 mbps initially and then to 5 mbps, as part of its new "Broadband for All" policy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Taneja |first1=Mansi |title=Minimum broadband speed to be raised to 2 Mbps |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-minimum-broadband-speed-to-be-raised-to-2-mbps-2705010 |website=DNA India |access-date=29 July 2019 |language=en |date=7 January 2019}}</ref> Connection speeds from 40 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s provided through optical fibre are now common in metro cities of India.
Fixed-line technologies include digital subscriber line (DSL), dial-up, Ethernet/LAN, cable modem, fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), and leased lines. Fibre has become the dominant wired access technology.
The worldwide broadband speed league 2019 ranked India 74 out of 207 countries with a mean download speed of 8.66 Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Worldwide Broadband Speed League 2019|url=https://www.cable.co.uk/broadband/speed/worldwide-speed-league/|access-date=5 November 2019|website=Cable|language=en}}</ref> According to the [[Akamai]] Q1 2017 State of the Internet Report, the average internet connection speed in India is 6.5 Mbit/s and the average peak connection speed is 41.4 Mbit/s. Globally, India was ranked 89th out of 149 countries/regions by average internet connection speed and 97th by average peak connection speed. 42% of internet users in India have an average internet connection speed of above 4 Mbit/s, 19% have a speed of over 10 Mbit/s, and 10% enjoy speeds over 15 Mbit/s. The average internet connection speed on mobile networks in India was 4.9 Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Q1 2017 State of the Internet Report|url=https://www.akamai.com/us/en/multimedia/documents/state-of-the-internet/q1-2017-state-of-the-internet-connectivity-report.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606184800/https://www.akamai.com/us/en/multimedia/documents/state-of-the-internet/q1-2017-state-of-the-internet-connectivity-report.pdf|archive-date=6 June 2017|access-date=5 June 2017|publisher=Akamai}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=State of the Internet Connectivity Visualization|url=https://www.akamai.com/us/en/our-thinking/state-of-the-internet-report/state-of-the-internet-connectivity-visualization.jsp|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005124541/https://www.akamai.com/us/en/our-thinking/state-of-the-internet-report/state-of-the-internet-connectivity-visualization.jsp|archive-date=5 October 2016|access-date=4 October 2016|website=Akamai}}</ref>
== Internet services ==
According to the March 2021 Speedtest Global Index, published by [[Speedtest.net]], India was ranked 66th out of 177 countries by average fixed broadband speed and 86th out of 140 countries by average mobile internet speed. The average fixed broadband download speed in India is 56.10 Mbit/s and the average fixed broadband upload speed is 53.68 Mbit/s. Speedtest recorded the average download speed on mobile connections in India as 12.15 Mbit/s and average upload speed of 4.80 Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|title=India's Mobile and Broadband Internet Speeds - Speedtest Global Index|url=http://www.speedtest.net/global-index/india|access-date=9 May 2021|website=Speedtest Global Index|language=en}}</ref>
=== Internet user base ===
== Internet user base ==
India has the second-highest number of Internet users in the world. According to TRAI, as of 31 March 2026:
India has the [[List of countries by number of Internet users|second highest number of internet users]] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internetworldstats.com/top20.htm|title=Internet Top 20 Countries - Internet Users 2019|website=www.internetworldstats.com|access-date=2019-08-28}}</ref> The following table provides an overview of key internet subscriber statistics in India as on 31 December 2020.<ref name="TRAIpir">{{cite web|title=The Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators|url=https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QPIR_27042021_0.pdf|website=TRAI|access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Statistic
! Statistic
!Figures
! Figures
|-
| Total internet subscribers
| 1,092.79 million
|-
|-
|Total subscribers
| Broadband subscribers
|795.18 million
| 1,065.88 million
|-
|-
|Narrowband subscribers
| Narrowband subscribers
|47.77 million
| 26.91 million
|-
|-
|Broadband subscribers
| Wired internet subscribers
|747.41 million
| 46.54 million
|-
|-
|Wired subscribers
| Wireless internet subscribers
|25.54 million
| 1,046.26 million
|-
|-
|Wireless subscribers
| Overall tele-density (telephone)
|769.64 million
| 93.26%
|}
By the end of June 2026, total broadband subscribers had reached 1,087.50 million. DataReportal estimated 1.03 billion internet users (70% penetration) at the end of 2025, while the IAMAI–Kantar Internet in India Report 2025 placed active internet users at 958 million, with rural areas accounting for approximately 57% of the active base and growing significantly faster than urban areas.
=== Broadband subscribers ===
As of June 2026, the leading broadband (wired + wireless) service providers by subscriber base were:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Provider
! Subscribers (million)
! Approximate share
|-
|-
|Urban subscribers
| [[Jio]]
|487.01 million
| 532.21
| 48.94%
|-
|-
|Rural subscribers
| [[Airtel India|Airtel]]
|308.17 million
| 379.97
| 34.94%
|-
|-
|Overall net penetration
| [[Vodafone Idea|Vi]]
|58.51 %
| 130.13
| 11.97%
|-
|-
|Urban net penetration
| [[BSNL Broadband|BSNL]]
|103.98 %
| 27.44
| ~2.5%
|-
|-
|Rural net penetration
| [[Atria Convergence Technologies|ACT]]
|34.60 %
| 2.45
| <0.3%
|}
|}
The [[World Economic Forum]] (WEF) estimated that about 60% of Indian internet users viewed vernacular content and only about a quarter of internet users were over the age of 35 years in 2019. The WEF also estimated that 1.1 billion Indians would have access to the internet by 2030, with 80% of the subscriber base primarily accessing the internet on mobile devices. The profile of India's internet user base was predicted to diversify by 2030 with 80% of users accessing vernacular content and with users over 25 years making up 45% of the total subscriber base.<ref>{{cite web |title=Future of Consumption in Fast-Growth Consumer Markets: INDIA |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Consumption_Fast-Growth_Consumers_markets_India_report_2019.pdf |website=[[World Economic Forum]] |access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref>
The top five providers together accounted for approximately 98.6% of the broadband market. Jio and Airtel also lead in the fixed wired broadband segment.
Access to the Internet can be divided into dial-up and broadband access. Around the start of the 21st century, most residential access was by dial-up, while access from businesses was usually by higher speed connections. In subsequent years dial-up declined in favour of broadband access. Both types of access generally use a [[modem]], which converts [[digital data]] to [[analog signal|analog]] for transmission over a particular analog network (ex. the [[telephone]] or [[Cable television|cable]] networks).<ref name="howstuffworks">[http://www.explainthatstuff.com/howbroadbandworks.html "Broadband Internet"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913021130/http://www.explainthatstuff.com//howbroadbandworks.html |date=2011-09-13 }}, Chris Woodford, ''Explain that Stuff'', 20 August 2008. Retrieved on 19 January 2009.</ref>
=== Internet service providers ===
[[Dial-up]] access is a connection to the Internet through a phone line, creating a semi-permanent link to the Internet.<ref name="howstuffworks" /> Operating on a single channel, it monopolizes the phone line and is the slowest method of accessing the Internet. Dial-up is often the only form of Internet access available in rural areas because it requires no infrastructure other than the already existing telephone network. Dial-up connections typically do not exceed a speed of 56 [[kbit/s]], because they are primarily made via a [[56 kbit/s modem|56k modem]].<ref name="howstuffworks" />
{{main|List of internet service providers in India}}
Broadband access includes a wide range of speeds and technologies, all of which provide much faster access to the Internet than dial-up. The term "[[broadband]]" once had a technical meaning, but today it is more often a marketing [[buzzword]] that simply means "faster". Broadband connections are continuous or "always on" connections, without the need to dial and hang-up, and do not monopolize phone lines.<ref name="howstuffworks" /> Common types of broadband access include [[DSL]] (Digital Subscriber Lines), [[Fiber to the x|Fibre to the x]] (Optical fibre network), [[Cable Internet access]], [[Satellite Internet access]], [[mobile broadband]] via cell phones and other mobile devices among many others.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/01/29/the-fcc-has-set-a-new-faster-definition-for-broadband/ "The FCC has set a new, faster definition for broadband"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216033642/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/01/29/the-fcc-has-set-a-new-faster-definition-for-broadband/ |date=2016-02-16 }}, Brian Fung, ''The Washington Post'', 29 January 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2015.</ref>
More than 1,000 ISPs offer broadband and narrowband services. International Internet bandwidth continues to expand through new undersea cable systems.
==Internet service providers==
=== Common Service Centres (CSC) ===
{{main article|List of internet service providers in India}}
There were 358 [[Internet Service Provider]]s (ISPs) offering broadband and narrowband services in India as on 31 December 2019. The ten largest ISPs account for 99.50% of the total subscriber base. [[Jio]] (51.60%), [[Airtel India|Airtel]] (23.24%), [[Vodafone Idea]] (19.77%), [[BSNL]] (4.21%) and [[Atria Convergence Technologies]] (0.21%) were the five largest ISPs by subscribers in India as on 31 December 2019.<ref name = "TRAIpir"/>
As on 31 December 2019, the five largest wired broadband providers in India are BSNL (51.75%), Airtel (10.80%), Atria Convergence Technologies (6.78%), [[Hathway]] (4.01%) and Jio (3.83%). Other wired ISPs account for the remaining 22.82% of subscribers. The five largest wireless broadband providers are Jio (53.14%), Airtel (23.64%), Vodafone Idea (20.40%) and BSNL (2.68%).<ref name = "TRAIpir"/>
[[Common Service Centres]] remain a key component of Digital India, providing internet-enabled government and non-government services, particularly in rural and remote areas where individual connectivity may be limited.
The [[telecom circle]]s of [[Maharashtra]] (40.21 million), [[Andhra Pradesh]] & [[Telangana]] (38.28 million), [[Tamil Nadu]] (35.90 million) [[Gujarat]] (32.16 million) and [[Karnataka]] (31.74 million) have the most broadband subscribers as on 31 September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://main.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PIR08012019.pdf|title=The Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators July–September, 2018|publisher=TRAI|date=8 January 2018}}</ref>
=== Internet speed ===
The total International Internet bandwidth owned by Indian ISPs was 2,933 Gbit/s as on 30 June 2017.<ref name = "TRAIpir"/> International Bandwidth is the maximum rate of data transmission from a single country to the rest of the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Bandwidth Bandwidt|url=https://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-cost-tariffs/events/tariff-seminars/Maputo-09/pdf/session2-Abosse-Internat_Bandwidth-en.pdf|website=Itu.int|access-date=3 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215073515/https://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-cost-tariffs/events/tariff-seminars/Maputo-09/pdf/session2-Abosse-Internat_Bandwidth-en.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2017}}</ref>
5G has been the principal driver of improvements in mobile internet speeds since 2023. Median mobile download speeds reported by Speedtest Global Index in early-to-mid 2026 have frequently exceeded 100–160 Mbit/s, placing India among the higher-ranked large markets, while fixed broadband medians have typically ranged between approximately 60–100 Mbit/s depending on the measurement period. TRAI defines broadband as a minimum download speed of 2 Mbit/s.
==Net neutrality==
=== Data cost and consumption ===
{{Main article|Net neutrality in India}}
{{As of|August 2015}}, there were no laws governing [[net neutrality]] in India, which would require that all Internet users be treated equally, without discriminating or charging differentially by user, content, site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or mode of communication.<ref name="NYT-20150410">{{cite news |author=The Editorial Board |title=Editorial - Global Threats to Net Neutrality |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/opinion/global-threats-to-net-neutrality.html |date=10 April 2015 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=10 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411011236/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/opinion/global-threats-to-net-neutrality.html |archive-date=11 April 2015 }}</ref> There have already been a few violations of net neutrality principles by some Indian service providers.<ref name=NotJust>{{cite news|title=Not just Airtel Zero: Facebook to WhatsApp, everyone has violated Net Neutrality in India|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/social/net-neutrality-debate-its-not-just-limited-to-airtel-zero/|access-date=4 May 2015|work=[[Indian Express]]|date=18 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504060356/http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/social/net-neutrality-debate-its-not-just-limited-to-airtel-zero/|archive-date=4 May 2015}}</ref> The government has once again called in for comments and suggestions regarding net neutrality as of 14 August, and has given the people one day to post their views on the MyGov forum. After this, the final decision regarding the debate was to be made.
The debate on network neutrality in India gathered public attention after [[Airtel]], a [[mobile telephony]] service provider in India, announced in December 2014 additional charges for making voice calls ([[VoIP]]) from its network using apps like [[WhatsApp]], [[Skype]], etc.<ref>{{cite news|title=What Net Neutrality?|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/what-net-neutrality-voip-calls-such-as-skype-could-cost-extra-on-airtel-639283|access-date=24 December 2014|work=[[NDTV]]|date=24 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224150150/http://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/what-net-neutrality-voip-calls-such-as-skype-could-cost-extra-on-airtel-639283|archive-date=24 December 2014}}</ref>
India ranks among the countries with the lowest mobile data costs globally. Average monthly mobile data consumption per user rose to over 31 GB in 2025 (Nokia MBiT Index), representing an 18% compound annual growth rate over the preceding five years. Overall monthly mobile data traffic exceeded 27 exabytes in 2025, with 5G contributing nearly half. Operator-reported figures for mid-2026 showed even higher averages on some networks (for example, approximately 43.7 GB per Jio user per month in Q1 FY27).
In March 2015, [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI) released a formal consultation paper on ''Regulatory Framework for Over-the-top (OTT)'' services, seeking comments from the public. The consultation paper was criticised for being one sided and having confusing statements. It received condemnation from various politicians and Indian Internet users.<ref name=Politicos>{{cite news|last1=Singh|first1=Saurabh|title=Politicos slam TRAI's stance on net neutrality|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/politicos-raise-concern-over-trais-threatening-consultation-on-net-neutrality/1/429135.html|access-date=12 April 2015|work=[[India Today]]|date=8 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412222226/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/politicos-raise-concern-over-trais-threatening-consultation-on-net-neutrality/1/429135.html|archive-date=12 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gandhi|first1=Rajat|title=Net neutrality: Why Internet is in danger of being shackled|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-08/news/60943272_1_net-neutrality-telecom-operators-viber|access-date=12 April 2015|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=8 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=TRAIemails>{{cite news|title=Indians rally for Internet freedom, send over 1 lakh emails to TRAI for net neutrality|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indians-rally-for-internet-freedom-send-over-1-lakh-emails-to-trai-for-net-neutrality/539553-11.html|access-date=13 April 2015|work=[[IBNLive]]|date=13 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415193045/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indians-rally-for-internet-freedom-send-over-1-lakh-emails-to-trai-for-net-neutrality/539553-11.html|archive-date=15 April 2015}}</ref> The last date for submission of comment was 24 April 2015 and TRAI received over a million emails.<ref name=SiteHacked>{{cite news|title=Trai publishes email IDs of netizens, site hacked|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150428/business-latest/article/trai-publishes-email-ids-netizens-site-hacked|access-date=4 May 2015|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=28 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211154549/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150428/business-latest/article/trai-publishes-email-ids-netizens-site-hacked|archive-date=11 February 2016}}</ref>
=== Global connectivity ===
On 8 February 2016, TRAI took a revolutionary decision, prohibiting telecom service providers from levying discriminatory rates for data,<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url = http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/WhatsNew/Documents/Regulation_Data_Service.pdf|title = Regulation Data Service|date = 8 February 2016|access-date = 9 February 2016|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160209062517/http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/WhatsNew/Documents/Regulation_Data_Service.pdf|archive-date = 9 February 2016}}</ref> thus ruling in favor of Net Neutrality in India. This move was welcomed not just by millions of Indians but also by various political parties, businesspersons, industry leaders
India is connected by multiple undersea fibre-optic cable systems landing primarily at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Tuticorin and Thiruvananthapuram, with newer landings expanding capacity on the eastern coast. Additional systems (including projects involving Reliance, Airtel, Meta, Google, Tata Communications and others) continue to be commissioned or planned. Domestic undersea cables link the mainland to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. In September 2025, cuts to undersea cables in the Red Sea caused temporary disruptions across parts of Asia and the Middle East, including India; traffic was rapidly rerouted, demonstrating improved resilience.
,<ref>{{Cite news|url =http://www.indiatvnews.com/business/india/industry-users-laud-trai-facebook-operators-cry-foul-21103.html|title =Industry welcomes TRAI decision|date =8 February 2016|access-date =9 February 2016|url-status =live|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160209170036/http://www.indiatvnews.com/business/india/industry-users-laud-trai-facebook-operators-cry-foul-21103.html|archive-date =9 February 2016}}</ref> and the inventor of the [[World Wide Web]], [[Tim Berners Lee]].<ref>{{Cite news|url =http://blog.savetheinternet.in/statement-on-trai-order-on-diff-pricing|title =STI Statement on outcome of TRAI consultation on Differential Pricing of Data Services|date =9 February 2016|access-date =9 February 2016|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160211050552/http://blog.savetheinternet.in/statement-on-trai-order-on-diff-pricing/|archive-date =11 February 2016}}</ref>
==Censorship==
== Industry ==
{{main article|Internet censorship in India}}
{{see also|Websites blocked in India}}
[[Internet censorship]] in India is selectively practiced by both federal and state governments. DNS filtering and educating service users in better usage is an active strategy and government policy to regulate and block access to Internet content on a large scale. Measures to remove content at the request of content creators through court orders have become more common in recent years.
[[Freedom House|Freedom House's]] ''Freedom on the Net 2016'' report gives India a Freedom on the Net status of "Partly Free" with a rating of 41 (scale from 0 to 100, lower is better). Its Obstacles to Access was rated 12 (0-25 scale), Limits on Content was rated 9 (0-35 scale) and Violations of User Rights was rated 20 (0-40 scale).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2016/india|title=India - Country Report|work=Freedom House|access-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203163642/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2016/india|archive-date=3 February 2017|date=2016-11-10}}</ref> India was ranked 29th out of the 65 countries included in the report.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/table-country-scores-fotn-2016|title=Table of Country Scores FOTN 2016|website=Freedomhouse.org|access-date=27 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027180912/https://freedomhouse.org/report/table-country-scores-fotn-2016|archive-date=27 October 2017|date=2016-11-04}}</ref>
=== E-commerce ===
{{main | E-commerce in India}}
The Indian e-commerce market continues to expand, supported by rising smartphone penetration, affordable data, UPI-based payments, and growth in Tier-II and Tier-III cities as well as direct-to-consumer brands.
=== Data centres ===
Data-centre capacity has expanded substantially, with hyperscale facilities operated by domestic and international providers (including AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Indian operators) concentrated in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR and other locations.
=== Internet exchange points ===
Major internet exchange points operating in India include NIXI, Mumbai IX, Extreme IX, DE-CIX India and others that facilitate peering among ISPs.
== Challenges ==
== Challenges ==
One of the major issues facing the Internet segment in India is the lower average bandwidth of broadband connections compared to that of developed countries. According to 2007 statistics, the average download speed in India hovered at about 40 KB per second (256 [[kbit/s]]), the minimum speed set by TRAI, whereas the international average was 5.6 Mbit/s during the same period. In order to attend this infrastructure issue the government declared 2007 as "the year of broadband".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7098992.stm|title=Broadband speeds around the world|date=2 December 2007|publisher=BBC News|access-date=2 December 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206111858/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7098992.stm|archive-date=6 December 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/india-seeks-access-to-the-broadband-highway-11172011.html|title=India Seeks Access to the Broadband Highway|work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek|access-date=17 November 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120193030/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/india-seeks-access-to-the-broadband-highway-11172011.html|archive-date=20 November 2011}}</ref> To compete with international standards of defining broadband speed the Indian Government has taken the aggressive step of proposing a ₹690 billion national broadband network to connect all cities, towns and villages with a population of more than 500 in two phases targeted for completion by 2012 and 2013. Google and Tata have launched the [[Internet Saathi]] project to help increase digital literacy amongst women in rural areas. The network was supposed to provide speeds up to 10 Mbit/s in 63 metropolitan areas and 4 Mbit/s in an additional 352 cities. Also, the Internet penetration rate in India is medium and accounts for 42% of the population compared to the rate in [[OECD]] counties, where the average is over 50%.<ref name="IWS">{{cite web |url=http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats3.htm |title=Internet Usage in Asia |work=International Telecommunications Unit: Asian Internet Users |publisher=ITU |access-date=10 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/659jL0Pnr?url=http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats3.htm |archive-date=2 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oecd.org/document/54/0,3746,en_2649_34225_38690102_1_1_1_1,00.html|title=OECD Broadband Portal|work=oecd.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926171916/http://www.oecd.org/document/54/0,3746,en_2649_34225_38690102_1_1_1_1,00.html|archive-date=2015-09-26}}</ref><ref name="2005annual">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2009/apr/01india-ranks-115th-in-net-connection-speed.htm|title=India ranks 115th in net connection speed|work=Rediff.com|format=doc|access-date=1 April 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618000053/http://www.rediff.com/money/2009/apr/01india-ranks-115th-in-net-connection-speed.htm|archive-date=18 June 2010}}</ref> Another issue is the [[digital divide]] where growth is biased in favour of urban areas; according to 2010 statistics, more than 75 per cent of the broadband connections in the country are in the top 30 cities.<ref name="Trai-rec"/> Regulators have tried to boost the growth of broadband in rural areas by promoting higher investment in rural infrastructure and establishing subsidised tariffs for rural subscribers under the [[Universal service obligation]] scheme of the Indian government.{{fact|date=August 2019}}
==E-commerce industry==
=== Cybercrimes and cyber awareness ===
No. of Indian consumers who purchased something online in 2018: 120 million
Rising internet adoption has been accompanied by growth in cybercrimes, including phishing, digital-arrest scams, financial frauds, romance and investment scams, and organised fraud factories. Cyber-awareness levels remain uneven, particularly among newer and rural users. Reporting windows for financial fraud and compensation mechanisms continue to be subjects of policy discussion. Agencies including CERT-In, the National Cyber Coordination Centre, and the Data Security Council of India play central roles in prevention and response.
=== Censorship ===
{{main|Internet censorship in India}}
Internet censorship is selectively practised by central and state governments through DNS filtering, content blocking under court orders, and related measures. Freedom House has rated India “Partly Free” in recent Freedom on the Net reports.
=== Digital divide ===
Although rural internet adoption has accelerated and now accounts for a majority of active users according to some surveys, significant gaps persist in quality of access, device ownership, digital skills, and gender. COVID-19 accelerated adoption, but hundreds of millions remain offline or under-connected.
=== Net neutrality ===
In February 2016, TRAI prohibited discriminatory pricing of data, affirming net neutrality principles. The framework continues to guide regulation of over-the-top services and zero-rating practices.
No. of Indian consumers who are expected to purchase something online in 2020: 175 million
== Future ==
Indian e-commerce Industry in 2017: ₹2.46 Trillion
The Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), formed to advance India’s indigenous 6G ecosystem with the goal of global leadership by 2030, had expanded to 90 members by mid-July 2026. It operates through seven working groups covering spectrum, radio access and core networks, AI and sensing with security, device technologies, standards, green and sustainability, and use cases. A national Spectrum Roadmap for 6G has been published, a terahertz testbed has been approved, and member organisations collectively hold thousands of related patent filings. India has increased its participation in global standardisation bodies including 3GPP. Affordability, sustainability and ubiquity remain core principles of the national 6G vision.
== Data centres ==
== See also ==
* BSNL Internet Data Centers, in collaboration with Dimension Data<ref>[http://www.bsnlcloud.com/pages/index.asp BSNL Internet Data Center] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917083730/http://www.bsnlcloud.com/pages/index.asp |date=2013-09-17 }}, website, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. and Dimension Data, retrieved 11 September 2013.</ref>
{{Portal|India|Internet|Technology}}
* Trimax IT Infrastructure & Services Limited - Tier III data centers in Mumbai and Bengaluru <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trimax.in/index.php/services-0/managed-it-services/data-center-service |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-09-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925223804/http://www.trimax.in/index.php/services-0/managed-it-services/data-center-service |archive-date=2014-09-25 }}</ref>
* Airlive Broadband
* Web Werks Data Centers
* Sify Technologies Limited
* CtrlS Datacenters Ltd
* Tata Communications Limited
* Netmagic Solutions
* Reliance Datacenter
* Web Werks IDC
* Net4 Datacenter
* RackBank Datacenter
* GPX Global Systems Inc.
* CTRLS Data Center
* MegaHostZone
* Digital Ocean
* DeleteZero
* Amazon Web Services<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/now-open-aws-asia-pacific-mumbai-region/|title=Now Open – AWS Asia Pacific (Mumbai) Region {{!}} AWS Blog|website=Aws.amazon.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514064907/https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/now-open-aws-asia-pacific-mumbai-region/|archive-date=2017-05-14|date=2016-06-28}}</ref>
*Google Cloud<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cloudplatform.googleblog.com/2017/10/GCP-arrives-in-India-with-launch-of-Mumbai-region.html|title=GCP arrives in India with launch of Mumbai region|work=Google Cloud Platform Blog|access-date=2018-07-05|language=en}}</ref>
==Internet Exchanges==
* General
*[[NIXI]]
** [[Internet censorship in India]]
*[[Mumbai Convergence Hub]]
** [[Electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry in India]]
*[[Mumbai IX]]
** [[National Optical Fibre Network]]
*[[Amsterdam Internet Exchange|AMS IX]]
** [[Media of India]]
*[[DE-CIX]]
** [[Telecommunications in India]]
* Services
** [[Common Service Centres]]
** [[Digital India]]
** [[Over-the-top media services in India]]
** [[Mobile telephone numbering in India]]
* Global lists
** [[List of countries by number of Internet users]]
** [[List of mobile phone brands by country]]
** [[List of sovereign states by number of broadband Internet subscriptions]]
** [[List of sovereign states by Internet connection speeds]]
** [[List of countries by smartphone penetration]]
==See also==
== Notes ==
*[[Internet Freedom Foundation]]
{{notelist}}
*[[National Optical Fibre Network]]
*[[List of countries by number of Internet users]]
*[[List of countries by number of broadband Internet subscriptions]]
*[[List of countries by Internet connection speeds]]
==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{India topics}}
{{Asia topic|Internet in}}
{{Telecommunications}}
{{Censorship}}
{{World topic|Internet in|noredlinks=yes}}
[[Category:Internet in India| ]]
[[Category:Internet in India| ]]
[[Category:Telecommunications in India]]
[[Category:Science and technology in India]]
[[Category:Communications in India]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1995]]
Internet in India began in 1986 with access limited to the educational and research community, and public access was launched on 15 August 1995. As of March 2026, India had 1,092.79 million internet subscribers according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), of which 1,065.88 million were broadband subscribers.[1] By June 2026, the broadband subscriber base had risen further to 1,087.50 million.[2] DataReportal estimated 1.03 billion internet users in India at the end of 2025, corresponding to 70% penetration.[3] Average monthly mobile data consumption per user exceeded 31 GB in 2025.[4] The Indian Government has pursued initiatives including Digital India, BharatNet, Common Service Centres, the UPI instant payment system, and Startup India to expand internet-based ecosystems.
In 1986, the history of the Internet in India began with the launch of the Educational Research Network (ERNET).[5] The network was made available only to educational and research communities,[6] even though early pre-internet computer networks had operated in India since the late 1970s by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and the Indian Military, along with general-use networks such as INDONET, NICNET, and VIKRAM. ERNET was initiated by the Department of Electronics (DoE), with funding from the Government of India and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), involving eight premier institutions: NCST Bombay, Indian Institute of Science, five Indian Institutes of Technology (Delhi, Mumbai, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Chennai), and the DoE in New Delhi. ERNET began as a multi-protocol network with both the TCP/IP and the OSI-IP protocol stacks running over the leased-line portion of the backbone. Since 1995, almost all traffic has been carried over TCP/IP.
In 1990, ERNET was allotted Class B IP address 144.16.0.0 by NIC (then InterNIC). Subsequently, Class C addresses were allotted by APNIC.[6]
In January 1991, the first leased line of 9.6 kbit/s was installed between Delhi and Mumbai. In 1992, all IITs, IISc Bangalore, DOE Delhi and NCST Mumbai were connected by 9.6 kbit/s leased lines, and a 64 kbit/s Internet gateway link was commissioned from NCST Mumbai to UUNet in Virginia, United States.[6]
In 1995, NICNet was established for communications between government institutions and was operated by the National Informatics Centre.[6]
1995: Public internet in India
On 15 August 1995, the first publicly available internet service in India was launched by state-owned Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL).[7] At the time, VSNL held a monopoly over international communications and private enterprise was not permitted in the sector. The service, known as the Gateway Internet Access Service (GIAS), provided 9.6 kbit/s speeds and was priced at ₹5,200 for 250 hours for individuals and higher rates for institutional and leased-line accounts. For the next decade the experience remained limited, with narrow-band dial-up connections below 56 kbit/s.
In 2004, the government formulated its broadband policy, defining broadband as an always-on Internet connection with a download speed of 256 kbit/s or above. Growth accelerated after 2005 but remained constrained by last-mile access issues that were predominantly wired-line.
2010: Wireless broadband
In 2010, the government auctioned 3G spectrum, followed by 4G spectrum auctions, to improve speeds and reduce dependence on wired last-mile access. In 2013, the minimum broadband speed was raised to 512 kbit/s and further to 2 Mbit/s in 2023.[8]
In 2020, the PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) policy was launched to expand public Wi-Fi hotspots, particularly in rural areas, through Public Data Offices (PDOs).
2016: Reliance Jio and the digital explosion
On 5 September 2016, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited commercially launched an all-IP 4G network based on Voice over LTE (VoLTE), skipping legacy 2G/3G infrastructure. The launch offered free voice calls and high-speed 4G data during promotional periods, followed by prices of roughly ₹10–₹50 per GB—over 90% cheaper than prevailing rates. This triggered rapid subscriber growth exceeding 100 million within 170 days and is widely referred to as the "Jio Effect".
2023–present: 5G and preparation for 6G
Commercial 5G services began in 2022–2023 and became the primary driver of higher speeds and data traffic. By 2025, 5G accounted for nearly 47% of total mobile broadband traffic, with monthly 5G traffic reaching 12.9 exabytes.[9] The Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), an industry–academia partnership, has driven indigenous 6G research aimed at positioning India as a global leader by 2030.
Technologies
Wired Internet access technologies by usage share (approximate recent TRAI data):
5G: Multiple mid-band and mmWave bands allocated through auctions and administrative assignment
Wired Internet
Fixed-line technologies include digital subscriber line (DSL), dial-up, Ethernet/LAN, cable modem, fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), and leased lines. Fibre has become the dominant wired access technology.
Internet services
Internet user base
India has the second-highest number of Internet users in the world. According to TRAI, as of 31 March 2026:
Statistic
Figures
Total internet subscribers
1,092.79 million
Broadband subscribers
1,065.88 million
Narrowband subscribers
26.91 million
Wired internet subscribers
46.54 million
Wireless internet subscribers
1,046.26 million
Overall tele-density (telephone)
93.26%
By the end of June 2026, total broadband subscribers had reached 1,087.50 million. DataReportal estimated 1.03 billion internet users (70% penetration) at the end of 2025, while the IAMAI–Kantar Internet in India Report 2025 placed active internet users at 958 million, with rural areas accounting for approximately 57% of the active base and growing significantly faster than urban areas.
Broadband subscribers
As of June 2026, the leading broadband (wired + wireless) service providers by subscriber base were:
The top five providers together accounted for approximately 98.6% of the broadband market. Jio and Airtel also lead in the fixed wired broadband segment.
More than 1,000 ISPs offer broadband and narrowband services. International Internet bandwidth continues to expand through new undersea cable systems.
Common Service Centres (CSC)
Common Service Centres remain a key component of Digital India, providing internet-enabled government and non-government services, particularly in rural and remote areas where individual connectivity may be limited.
Internet speed
5G has been the principal driver of improvements in mobile internet speeds since 2023. Median mobile download speeds reported by Speedtest Global Index in early-to-mid 2026 have frequently exceeded 100–160 Mbit/s, placing India among the higher-ranked large markets, while fixed broadband medians have typically ranged between approximately 60–100 Mbit/s depending on the measurement period. TRAI defines broadband as a minimum download speed of 2 Mbit/s.
Data cost and consumption
India ranks among the countries with the lowest mobile data costs globally. Average monthly mobile data consumption per user rose to over 31 GB in 2025 (Nokia MBiT Index), representing an 18% compound annual growth rate over the preceding five years. Overall monthly mobile data traffic exceeded 27 exabytes in 2025, with 5G contributing nearly half. Operator-reported figures for mid-2026 showed even higher averages on some networks (for example, approximately 43.7 GB per Jio user per month in Q1 FY27).
Global connectivity
India is connected by multiple undersea fibre-optic cable systems landing primarily at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Tuticorin and Thiruvananthapuram, with newer landings expanding capacity on the eastern coast. Additional systems (including projects involving Reliance, Airtel, Meta, Google, Tata Communications and others) continue to be commissioned or planned. Domestic undersea cables link the mainland to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. In September 2025, cuts to undersea cables in the Red Sea caused temporary disruptions across parts of Asia and the Middle East, including India; traffic was rapidly rerouted, demonstrating improved resilience.
The Indian e-commerce market continues to expand, supported by rising smartphone penetration, affordable data, UPI-based payments, and growth in Tier-II and Tier-III cities as well as direct-to-consumer brands.
Data centres
Data-centre capacity has expanded substantially, with hyperscale facilities operated by domestic and international providers (including AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Indian operators) concentrated in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR and other locations.
Internet exchange points
Major internet exchange points operating in India include NIXI, Mumbai IX, Extreme IX, DE-CIX India and others that facilitate peering among ISPs.
Challenges
Cybercrimes and cyber awareness
Rising internet adoption has been accompanied by growth in cybercrimes, including phishing, digital-arrest scams, financial frauds, romance and investment scams, and organised fraud factories. Cyber-awareness levels remain uneven, particularly among newer and rural users. Reporting windows for financial fraud and compensation mechanisms continue to be subjects of policy discussion. Agencies including CERT-In, the National Cyber Coordination Centre, and the Data Security Council of India play central roles in prevention and response.
Internet censorship is selectively practised by central and state governments through DNS filtering, content blocking under court orders, and related measures. Freedom House has rated India “Partly Free” in recent Freedom on the Net reports.
Digital divide
Although rural internet adoption has accelerated and now accounts for a majority of active users according to some surveys, significant gaps persist in quality of access, device ownership, digital skills, and gender. COVID-19 accelerated adoption, but hundreds of millions remain offline or under-connected.
Net neutrality
In February 2016, TRAI prohibited discriminatory pricing of data, affirming net neutrality principles. The framework continues to guide regulation of over-the-top services and zero-rating practices.
Future
The Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), formed to advance India’s indigenous 6G ecosystem with the goal of global leadership by 2030, had expanded to 90 members by mid-July 2026. It operates through seven working groups covering spectrum, radio access and core networks, AI and sensing with security, device technologies, standards, green and sustainability, and use cases. A national Spectrum Roadmap for 6G has been published, a terahertz testbed has been approved, and member organisations collectively hold thousands of related patent filings. India has increased its participation in global standardisation bodies including 3GPP. Affordability, sustainability and ubiquity remain core principles of the national 6G vision.
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