List of telecom companies in India
Updated: 11/5/2025, 10:52:06 PM Wikipedia source
Telecom services providing companies in India are regulated by Department of Telecommunications and TRAI which comes under Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
Tables
· Direct-to-home (DTH) operators
Tata Play
Tata Play
Operator
Tata Play
Market share
31.99%
Ownership
Tata Group (80%)Temasek (20%)
Airtel Digital TV
Airtel Digital TV
Operator
Airtel Digital TV
Market share
29.38%
Ownership
Airtel (100%)
Dish TV
Dish TV
Operator
Dish TV
Market share
19.53%
Ownership
Publicly Owned (95.96%)
Sun Direct
Sun Direct
Operator
Sun Direct
Market share
19.10%
Ownership
Sun TV Network (80%)Astro (20%)
DD Free Dish
DD Free Dish
Operator
DD Free Dish
Ownership
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (100%)
| Operator | Market share | Ownership |
| Tata Play | 31.99% | Tata Group (80%)Temasek (20%) |
| Airtel Digital TV | 29.38% | Airtel (100%) |
| Dish TV | 19.53% | Publicly Owned (95.96%) |
| Sun Direct | 19.10% | Sun TV Network (80%)Astro (20%) |
| DD Free Dish | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (100%) |
· Direct-to-home (DTH) operators › Multiple-system operators (MSOs)
1
1
No
1
Operator
GTPL Hathway Ltd
Total Active Subscriber Base
89,74,192
2
2
No
2
Operator
Hathway Digital Ltd
Total Active Subscriber Base
51,74,077
3
3
No
3
Operator
Siti Networks Ltd
Total Active Subscriber Base
48,10,710
4
4
No
4
Operator
Thamizhaga Cable TV Communication Pvt Ltd. (TCCL)
Total Active Subscriber Base
38,03,451
5
5
No
5
Operator
Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd (KCCL)
Total Active Subscriber Base
36,48,628
6
6
No
6
Operator
Den Networks Ltd
Total Active Subscriber Base
32,52,764
7
7
No
7
Operator
NXT Digital Ltd (HITS)
Total Active Subscriber Base
24,39,067
8
8
No
8
Operator
KAL Cables
Total Active Subscriber Base
19,50,373
9
9
No
9
Operator
V K Digital Network Pvt. Ltd
Total Active Subscriber Base
15,60,585
10
10
No
10
Operator
Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd (TACTV)
Total Active Subscriber Base
14,78,718
11
11
No
11
Operator
Fastway Transmissions Pvt Ltd
Total Active Subscriber Base
13,15,751
12
12
No
12
Operator
NXT Digital Ltd (CATV)
Total Active Subscriber Base
12,33,233
| No | Operator | Total Active Subscriber Base |
| 1 | GTPL Hathway Ltd | 89,74,192 |
| 2 | Hathway Digital Ltd | 51,74,077 |
| 3 | Siti Networks Ltd | 48,10,710 |
| 4 | Thamizhaga Cable TV Communication Pvt Ltd. (TCCL) | 38,03,451 |
| 5 | Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd (KCCL) | 36,48,628 |
| 6 | Den Networks Ltd | 32,52,764 |
| 7 | NXT Digital Ltd (HITS) | 24,39,067 |
| 8 | KAL Cables | 19,50,373 |
| 9 | V K Digital Network Pvt. Ltd | 15,60,585 |
| 10 | Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd (TACTV) | 14,78,718 |
| 11 | Fastway Transmissions Pvt Ltd | 13,15,751 |
| 12 | NXT Digital Ltd (CATV) | 12,33,233 |
List of active mobile operators in the country (as on 30.09.2025) · Wireless operators › Mobile operators › Active operators
Jio (2016)
Jio (2016)
Operator
(Estd.)
Jio (2016)
Brands
Jio
Total Subscribers (million)
482.70
Active Subscribers (million)
471.92
Technologies
5G (VoNR), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi)
Ownership
Jio Platforms (100%)
Notes
Not to be confused with Reliance Communications.
Airtel (1995)
Airtel (1995)
Operator
(Estd.)
Airtel (1995)
Brands
Airtel
Total Subscribers (million)
392.41
Active Subscribers (million)
389.16
Technologies
5G, 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G
Ownership
Bharti Enterprises (66.57)
Singtel (32.15)
Google (1.28%)
Notes
The 'airtel' brand is operated by Bharti Hexacom Limited in Rajasthan and North-East India. Bharti Airtel owns 70% of Bharti Hexacom, while TCIL (Government of India) owns the remaining 30%.
Subscriber count and active users include Bharti Hexacom.
Vodafone Idea (2018)
Vodafone Idea (2018)
Operator
(Estd.)
Vodafone Idea (2018)
Brands
Vi
Total Subscribers (million)
202.81
Active Subscribers (million)
171.54
Technologies
5G (limited cities), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G
Ownership
Government of India (49%)Vodafone Group (16%)Aditya Birla Group (9.5%)Public Shareholding (25.5%)
Notes
In February 2023, the Government of India converted ₹16,133 crore (~US$1.9 billion) debt owed to it by the operator into equity, after the company opted for the option given to it under a 'telecom reforms package'.
BSNL Mobile (2000)
BSNL Mobile (2000)
Operator
(Estd.)
BSNL Mobile (2000)
Brands
BSNL
Total Subscribers (million)
92.27
Active Subscribers (million)
55.59
Technologies
4G (VoLTE), 3G, 2G
Ownership
Government of India (100%)
Notes
BSNL (VNO's) operates only in Tamil Nadu. BSNL is testing VoWifi services.
| Operator (Estd.) | Brands | Total Subscribers (million) | Active Subscribers (million) | Technologies | Ownership | Notes |
| Jio (2016) | Jio | 482.70 | 471.92 | 5G (VoNR), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi) | Jio Platforms (100%) | Not to be confused with Reliance Communications. |
| Airtel (1995) | Airtel | 392.41 | 389.16 | 5G, 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G | Bharti Enterprises (66.57) Singtel (32.15) Google (1.28%) | The 'airtel' brand is operated by Bharti Hexacom Limited in Rajasthan and North-East India. Bharti Airtel owns 70% of Bharti Hexacom, while TCIL (Government of India) owns the remaining 30%. Subscriber count and active users include Bharti Hexacom. |
| Vodafone Idea (2018) | Vi | 202.81 | 171.54 | 5G (limited cities), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G | Government of India (49%)Vodafone Group (16%)Aditya Birla Group (9.5%)Public Shareholding (25.5%) | In February 2023, the Government of India converted ₹16,133 crore (~US$1.9 billion) debt owed to it by the operator into equity, after the company opted for the option given to it under a 'telecom reforms package'. |
| BSNL Mobile (2000) | BSNL | 92.27 | 55.59 | 4G (VoLTE), 3G, 2G | Government of India (100%) | BSNL (VNO's) operates only in Tamil Nadu. BSNL is testing VoWifi services. |
List of notable mobile operators that provided services in the country (as on 30 September 2025) · Wireless operators › Mobile operators › Defunct operators
Modi Telstra
Modi Telstra
Operator
Modi Telstra
Started operations
1995
Ceased operations
2000
Fate
Merged into Axiata
Escotel
Escotel
Operator
Escotel
Started operations
1996
Ceased operations
2004
Fate
Merged into Idea Cellular
S Tel
S Tel
Operator
S Tel
Started operations
2008
Ceased operations
2012
Fate
Licence cancelled by the Supreme Court of India
Etisalat
Etisalat
Operator
Etisalat
Started operations
2010
Ceased operations
2012
Fate
Licence cancelled by the Supreme Court of India
Loop Mobile
Loop Mobile
Operator
Loop Mobile
Started operations
1995
Ceased operations
2014
Fate
Ceased operations after expiration of licence
Virgin Mobile / T24 Mobile
Virgin Mobile / T24 Mobile
Operator
Virgin Mobile / T24 Mobile
Started operations
2009
Ceased operations
2015
Fate
Merged into Tata DoCoMo
Axiata
Axiata
Operator
Axiata
Started operations
1995
Ceased operations
2016
Fate
Merged into Idea Cellular
Videocon Telecom
Videocon Telecom
Operator
Videocon Telecom
Started operations
2010
Ceased operations
2016
Fate
Shut down following sale of spectrum to Airtel
Singtel
Singtel
Operator
Singtel
Started operations
2009
Ceased operations
2017
Fate
Acquired by Reliance Communications
MTS
MTS
Operator
MTS
Started operations
2009
Ceased operations
2017
Fate
Acquired by Reliance Communications
Aircel
Aircel
Operator
Aircel
Started operations
1999
Ceased operations
2018
Fate
Bankrupt
Telenor
Telenor
Operator
Telenor
Started operations
2006
Ceased operations
2018
Fate
Acquired by Airtel
Idea Cellular
Idea Cellular
Operator
Idea Cellular
Started operations
2002
Ceased operations
2018
Fate
Merged with Vodafone India to form Vodafone Idea
Vodafone India
Vodafone India
Operator
Vodafone India
Started operations
2011
Ceased operations
2018
Fate
Merged with Idea Cellular to form Vodafone Idea
Tata DoCoMo
Tata DoCoMo
Operator
Tata DoCoMo
Started operations
2009
Ceased operations
2019
Fate
Acquired by Airtel
Reliance Communications
Reliance Communications
Operator
Reliance Communications
Started operations
2004
Ceased operations
2019
Fate
Declared bankruptcy, subsequently acquired by Jio
MTNL
MTNL
Operator
MTNL
Started operations
1986
Ceased operations
2025
Fate
Merged into BSNL
| Operator | Started operations | Ceased operations | Fate |
| Modi Telstra | 1995 | 2000 | Merged into Axiata |
| Escotel | 1996 | 2004 | Merged into Idea Cellular |
| S Tel | 2008 | 2012 | Licence cancelled by the Supreme Court of India |
| Etisalat | 2010 | 2012 | Licence cancelled by the Supreme Court of India |
| Loop Mobile | 1995 | 2014 | Ceased operations after expiration of licence |
| Virgin Mobile / T24 Mobile | 2009 | 2015 | Merged into Tata DoCoMo |
| Axiata | 1995 | 2016 | Merged into Idea Cellular |
| Videocon Telecom | 2010 | 2016 | Shut down following sale of spectrum to Airtel |
| Singtel | 2009 | 2017 | Acquired by Reliance Communications |
| MTS | 2009 | 2017 | Acquired by Reliance Communications |
| Aircel | 1999 | 2018 | Bankrupt |
| Telenor | 2006 | 2018 | Acquired by Airtel |
| Idea Cellular | 2002 | 2018 | Merged with Vodafone India to form Vodafone Idea |
| Vodafone India | 2011 | 2018 | Merged with Idea Cellular to form Vodafone Idea |
| Tata DoCoMo | 2009 | 2019 | Acquired by Airtel |
| Reliance Communications | 2004 | 2019 | Declared bankruptcy, subsequently acquired by Jio |
| MTNL | 1986 | 2025 | Merged into BSNL |
· Wireline operators › Fixed-line operators
Jio
Jio
Operator
Jio
Subscribers (lakh)
141.64
Ownership
Jio Platforms
Tata Teleservices
Tata Teleservices
Operator
Tata Teleservices
Subscribers (lakh)
110.21
Ownership
Tata Group
Airtel
Airtel
Operator
Airtel
Subscribers (lakh)
106.62
Ownership
Bharti Airtel
BSNL
BSNL
Operator
BSNL
Subscribers (lakh)
75.30
Ownership
Government of India
MTNL
MTNL
Operator
MTNL
Subscribers (lakh)
15.58
Ownership
Government of India
Vi
Vi
Operator
Vi
Subscribers (lakh)
7.81
Ownership
Vodafone Group
Aditya Birla Group
APSFL
APSFL
Operator
APSFL
Subscribers (lakh)
4.11
Ownership
Andhra Pradesh Government
Quadrant
Quadrant
Operator
Quadrant
Subscribers (lakh)
3.38
Ownership
Videocon Telecom
Reliance Communications
Reliance Communications
Operator
Reliance Communications
Subscribers (lakh)
0.97
Ownership
Reliance Group
STPL
STPL
Operator
STPL
Subscribers (lakh)
0.51
Ownership
Sudhana Telecommunications Private Limited
| Operator | Subscribers (lakh) | Ownership |
| Jio | 141.64 | Jio Platforms |
| Tata Teleservices | 110.21 | Tata Group |
| Airtel | 106.62 | Bharti Airtel |
| BSNL | 75.30 | Government of India |
| MTNL | 15.58 | Government of India |
| Vi | 7.81 | Vodafone Group Aditya Birla Group |
| APSFL | 4.11 | Andhra Pradesh Government |
| Quadrant | 3.38 | Videocon Telecom |
| Reliance Communications | 0.97 | Reliance Group |
| STPL | 0.51 | Sudhana Telecommunications Private Limited |
· Internet service providers (ISPs)
Jio
Jio
Operator
Jio
Subscribers (million)
492.27
Ownership
Jio Platforms
Airtel
Airtel
Operator
Airtel
Subscribers (million)
300.62
Ownership
Bharti Airtel
Vi
Vi
Operator
Vi
Subscribers (million)
127.77
Ownership
Vodafone Group
Aditya Birla Group
BSNL
BSNL
Operator
BSNL
Subscribers (million)
30.31
Ownership
Government of India
IBus Virtual Network Services Private Limited
IBus Virtual Network Services Private Limited
Operator
IBus Virtual Network Services Private Limited
Subscribers (million)
0.12
| Operator | Subscribers (million) | Ownership |
| Jio | 492.27 | Jio Platforms |
| Airtel | 300.62 | Bharti Airtel |
| Vi | 127.77 | Vodafone Group Aditya Birla Group |
| BSNL | 30.31 | Government of India |
| IBus Virtual Network Services Private Limited | 0.12 |
· Internet service providers (ISPs)
JioFiber
JioFiber
Provider
JioFiber
Subscribers (million)
13.20
Ownership
Jio Platforms
Airtel Xtream Fiber
Airtel Xtream Fiber
Provider
Airtel Xtream Fiber
Subscribers (million)
9.80
Ownership
Bharti Airtel
BSNL
BSNL
Provider
BSNL
Subscribers (million)
4.40
Ownership
Government of India
ACT
ACT
Provider
ACT
Subscribers (million)
2.34
Ownership
India Value Fund Advisors
TA Associates
KVBL
KVBL
Provider
KVBL
Subscribers (million)
1.42
| Provider | Subscribers (million) | Ownership |
| JioFiber | 13.20 | Jio Platforms |
| Airtel Xtream Fiber | 9.80 | Bharti Airtel |
| BSNL | 4.40 | Government of India |
| ACT | 2.34 | India Value Fund Advisors TA Associates |
| KVBL | 1.42 |
· Internet service providers (ISPs) › Other notable ISPs
APSFL
APSFL
Provider
APSFL
Ownership
Government of Andhra Pradesh
Asianet Broadband
Asianet Broadband
Provider
Asianet Broadband
Ownership
Rajan Raheja Group
DEN Networks
DEN Networks
Provider
DEN Networks
Ownership
Reliance Industries
Hathway
Hathway
Provider
Hathway
Ownership
Reliance Industries
RailTel
RailTel
Provider
RailTel
Ownership
Government of India
Sify
Sify
Provider
Sify
Ownership
Sify Group
Tata Play
Tata Play
Provider
Tata Play
Ownership
Tata Group (70%) The Walt Disney Company India (30%)
Excitel
Excitel
Provider
Excitel
| Provider | Ownership |
| APSFL | Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| Asianet Broadband | Rajan Raheja Group |
| DEN Networks | Reliance Industries |
| Hathway | Reliance Industries |
| RailTel | Government of India |
| Sify | Sify Group |
| Tata Play | Tata Group (70%) The Walt Disney Company India (30%) |
| Excitel |
· Internet service providers (ISPs) › For enterprise/wholesale only
CtrlS Datacenters
CtrlS Datacenters
Provider
CtrlS Datacenters
Ownership
CtrlS Labs
ERNET
ERNET
Provider
ERNET
Ownership
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
GAILTEL
GAILTEL
Provider
GAILTEL
Ownership
Government of India
National Knowledge Network(for educational institutions only)
National Knowledge Network(for educational institutions only)
Provider
National Knowledge Network(for educational institutions only)
Ownership
Government of India
PowerTel
PowerTel
Provider
PowerTel
Ownership
Government of India
Tulip Telecom
Tulip Telecom
Provider
Tulip Telecom
Ownership
Tulip Enterprises
| Provider | Ownership |
| CtrlS Datacenters | CtrlS Labs |
| ERNET | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology |
| GAILTEL | Government of India |
| National Knowledge Network(for educational institutions only) | Government of India |
| PowerTel | Government of India |
| Tulip Telecom | Tulip Enterprises |
· Telecom R&D firms
Beetel
Beetel
Name
Beetel
Headquarters
Gurugram
Type
Private
C-DOT
C-DOT
Name
C-DOT
Headquarters
New Delhi
Type
State-owned enterprise
HFCL
HFCL
Name
HFCL
Headquarters
Gurugram
Type
Private
Sasken Technologies
Sasken Technologies
Name
Sasken Technologies
Headquarters
Bengaluru
Type
Private
Sterlite Technologies
Sterlite Technologies
Name
Sterlite Technologies
Headquarters
Pune
Type
Private
Tejas Networks
Tejas Networks
Name
Tejas Networks
Headquarters
Bengaluru
Type
Private
United Telecoms Limited
United Telecoms Limited
Name
United Telecoms Limited
Headquarters
Bengaluru
Type
State-owned enterprise
| Name | Headquarters | Type |
| Beetel | Gurugram | Private |
| C-DOT | New Delhi | State-owned enterprise |
| HFCL | Gurugram | Private |
| Sasken Technologies | Bengaluru | Private |
| Sterlite Technologies | Pune | Private |
| Tejas Networks | Bengaluru | Private |
| United Telecoms Limited | Bengaluru | State-owned enterprise |
References
- "The Indian Telecom Subscription Data, November 2024"https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-01/QPIR_01012025.pdf
- TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIAhttps://trai.gov.in/release-publication/reports/telecom-subscriptions-reports
- "Telecom Subscription Data as on 31 December 2024"https://www.trai.gov.in/notifications/press-release/trai-releases-telecom-subscription-data-30th-november-2024
- Bharti Hexacomhttps://www.bhartihexacom.in/index.html
- Light Readinghttps://www.lightreading.com/services/indias-vodafone-idea-to-shut-down-3g-network/d/d-id/767407
- www.business-standard.comhttps://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/govt-clears-vi-s-interest-conversion-to-become-largest-single-shareholder-123020301731_1.html
- MSNhttps://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/govt-starts-process-to-delist-mtnl-for-merger-with-bsnl/ar-AA18l9i3
- HT Techhttps://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/25-years-of-mobility-in-india-the-first-mobile-phone-call-was-made-on-this-day-71596188645410.html
- TelecomPaperhttps://www.telecompaper.com/news/modi-to-merge-with-telstra-and-spice--243254
- Zee Newshttps://zeenews.india.com/home/idea-acquires-escotel-largest-deal-in-indian-telecom-sector_141768.html
- The Economic Timeshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/etisalat-enters-india-sets-up-back-office-at-ambattur-in-north-chennai/articleshow/4698146.cms
- The Times of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Etisalat-to-shut-India-operations/articleshow/11998887.cms
- TelecomTalkhttps://telecomtalk.info/loop-mobile-mumbai-shutting-down/123365/
- TelecomTalkhttps://telecomtalk.info/virgin-mobile-set-to-launch-gsm-service-in-india/2694/
- TelecomTalkhttps://telecomtalk.info/virgin-mobile-now-tata-docomo/132939/
- The Economic Timeshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/idea-spice-merger-may-ring-in-gains-for-malaysian-ally/articleshow/5187473.cms
- TelecomTalkhttps://telecomtalk.info/videocon-to-launch-gsm-mobile-services-in-100-cities-in-100-days/21112/
- DataReignhttps://www.datareign.com/videocon-telecom-shutdown-mobile-services.html
- TelecomTalkhttps://telecomtalk.info/videocon-to-shut-down-gsm-operations-in-11-circles-including-mumbai-asks-customers-to-port-out-before-18-january/103701/
- The Economic Timeshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/reliance-communication-gets-bombay-hc-approval-for-sistema-acquisition/articleshow/54739451.cms
- The Hinduhttps://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/aircel-files-for-bankruptcy/article22879716.ece
- LiveMinthttps://www.livemint.com/Money/QcujIIhjTJ8KMqYRMUKSMO/Tata-Tele-deal-How-Airtel-is-getting-a-billiondollar-busin.html
- The Economic Timeshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/nclt-gives-go-ahead-to-idea-vodafone-merger/articleshow/65616161.cms
- LiveMinthttps://www.livemint.com/Industry/2E0PXuw33i4eyhDtaQbMEN/NCLT-approves-IdeaVodafone-merger.html
- "Airtel completes Tata merger"https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/jio-tata-tele-merger-completed/article28251509.ece
- NDTV.comhttps://www.ndtv.com/business/tribunal-admits-anil-ambanis-reliance-communications-for-bankruptcy-2035627
- MSNhttps://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/govt-starts-process-to-delist-mtnl-for-merger-with-bsnl/ar-AA18l9i3
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indiahttps://www.trai.gov.in/consumer-info/telecom/service-provider-list
- "Telecom Subscription Data as on 31st December, 2023"https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.07of2024_0.pdf