List of telecom companies in India
Updated: 5/20/2026, 7:11:24 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 %
Ownership
Tata Group (80%)
Temasek (20%)
Airtel Digital TV
Airtel Digital TV
Operator
Airtel Digital TV
Market share
16 %
Ownership
Airtel (100%)
Dish TV
Dish TV
Operator
Dish TV
Market share
32 %
Ownership
Publicly owned (95 %)
Sun Direct
Sun Direct
Operator
Sun Direct
Market share
19 %
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 % | Tata Group (80%) Temasek (20%) |
| Airtel Digital TV | 16 % | Airtel (100%) |
| Dish TV | 32 % | Publicly owned (95 %) |
| Sun Direct | 19 % | 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 31 ) · Wireless operators › Mobile operators › Active operators
Jio (2016)
Jio (2016)
Operator
(estd.)
Jio (2016)
Brands
Jio
Total subscribers (million)
496
Active subscribers (million)
489
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)
477
Active subscribers (million)
474
Technologies
5G, 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G
Ownership
Bharti Enterprises (66 )
Singtel (32 )
Google (1 %)
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.
Vi (2018)
Vi (2018)
Operator
(estd.)
Vi (2018)
Brands
Vi
Total subscribers (million)
198
Active subscribers (million)
192
Technologies
5G (limited cities), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G
Ownership
Government of India (49%)
Vodafone Group (16%)
Aditya Birla Group (9 %)
Public Shareholding (25 %)
Notes
In February 2023, the Government of India converted ₹16,133 crore (~US$1 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 (2000)
BSNL (2000)
Operator
(estd.)
BSNL (2000)
Brands
BSNL
Total subscribers (million)
92
Active subscribers (million)
52
Technologies
4G (VoLTE), 3G,2G
Ownership
Government of India (100%)
Notes
BSNL (VNOs) 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 | 496 | 489 | 5G (VoNR), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi) | Jio Platforms (100%) | Not to be confused with Reliance Communications. |
| Airtel (1995) | Airtel | 477 | 474 | 5G, 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G | Bharti Enterprises (66 ) Singtel (32 ) Google (1 %) | 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. |
| Vi (2018) | Vi | 198 | 192 | 5G (limited cities), 4G (VoLTE, VoWiFi), 2G | Government of India (49%) Vodafone Group (16%) Aditya Birla Group (9 %) Public Shareholding (25 %) | In February 2023, the Government of India converted ₹16,133 crore (~US$1 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 (2000) | BSNL | 92 | 52 | 4G (VoLTE), 3G,2G | Government of India (100%) | BSNL (VNOs) operates only in Tamil Nadu. BSNL is testing VoWifi services. |
List of notable mobile operators that provided services in the country (as on 31 October 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)
147
Ownership
Jio Platforms
Tata Teleservices
Tata Teleservices
Operator
Tata Teleservices
Subscribers (lakh)
111
Ownership
Tata Group
Airtel
Airtel
Operator
Airtel
Subscribers (lakh)
114
Ownership
Bharti Airtel
BSNL
BSNL
Operator
BSNL
Subscribers (lakh)
74
Ownership
Government of India
MTNL
MTNL
Operator
MTNL
Subscribers (lakh)
13
Ownership
Government of India
Vi
Vi
Operator
Vi
Subscribers (lakh)
8
Ownership
Vodafone Group
Aditya Birla Group
APSFL
APSFL
Operator
APSFL
Subscribers (lakh)
3
Ownership
Andhra Pradesh Government
Quadrant
Quadrant
Operator
Quadrant
Subscribers (lakh)
3
Ownership
Videocon Telecom
Reliance Communications
Reliance Communications
Operator
Reliance Communications
Subscribers (lakh)
0
Ownership
Reliance Group
STPL
STPL
Operator
STPL
Subscribers (lakh)
0
Ownership
Sudhana Telecommunications Private Limited
| Operator | Subscribers (lakh) | Ownership |
| Jio | 147 | Jio Platforms |
| Tata Teleservices | 111 | Tata Group |
| Airtel | 114 | Bharti Airtel |
| BSNL | 74 | Government of India |
| MTNL | 13 | Government of India |
| Vi | 8 | Vodafone Group Aditya Birla Group |
| APSFL | 3 | Andhra Pradesh Government |
| Quadrant | 3 | Videocon Telecom |
| Reliance Communications | 0 | Reliance Group |
| STPL | 0 | Sudhana Telecommunications Private Limited |
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 March 2026"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
- wwwhttps://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