India's Telecom Subscriber Base Hits 1.35 Billion As EMF Limits Double

India's telecommunications sector continues to show robust expansion, with the total telephone subscriber base reaching 1.35 billion in July 2026. According to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the sector added 6.20 million users in a single month, reflecting a growth rate of 0.46%. Wireless subscribers now account for 1,306.27 million of this total, while wireline connections have grown to 48.01 million, indicating a steady demand for connectivity across both mobile and fixed-line services.

The broadband segment is also seeing significant growth, with subscriptions rising to 1.094 billion by the end of July 2026. Reliance Jio Infocomm continues to lead this market, commanding a subscriber base of 535.12 million. This expansion is critical as the country transitions toward higher data consumption and 5G-led services, which require more robust and widespread network infrastructure to support the increasing number of connected devices and users.

In a major policy development, the government has decided to double the electromagnetic field (EMF) limits for mobile networks, effective next month. This change aligns India's standards with global benchmarks and is expected to provide significant operational relief to telecom operators. By allowing for higher EMF limits, operators can cover larger geographic areas with fewer towers, which will likely reduce network expansion costs and improve the overall quality and reach of 5G services across the country, particularly in underserved regions.