India’s 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) subscriber base increased to 13.61 million at the end of September 2026, up from 13.45 million a month earlier, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The increase adds to the growing role of wireless technology in fixed-location broadband services. Unlike mobile broadband used while travelling, FWA is designed to provide internet access at a designated location, typically through a wireless router or customer premises device.
5G FWA adds subscribers in September
TRAI’s report recorded an increase of approximately 160,000 5G FWA subscriptions during September.
| Indicator | August 2026 | September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G FWA subscribers | 13.45 million | 13.61 million |
| Net additions | — | 0.16 million |
| Rural subscribers | — | 7.06 million |
| Urban subscribers | — | 6.54 million |
Rural subscribers accounted for approximately 51.89% of the reported 5G FWA base, compared with 48.11% in urban areas.
The rural share is notable because fixed wireless services can provide an alternative where extending wired infrastructure is difficult or expensive. However, the figures do not establish that all rural connections are in areas without fibre or that FWA has replaced wired broadband.
How does FWA differ from fibre broadband?
FWA delivers connectivity over a wireless network to a fixed location. Fibre broadband, by contrast, uses a physical fibre-optic connection to the premises.
The two technologies serve similar home and business internet needs but have different deployment requirements.
FWA can reduce the need to lay a separate cable to every premises, although performance depends on factors such as network coverage, signal quality, capacity and the equipment used. Fibre can provide consistent high-capacity connectivity where the infrastructure is available, but deployment may require more civil work.
For consumers, the right choice depends on local availability, actual speeds, data policies, installation costs and the price of the service.
FWA is part of a wider broadband market
TRAI reported 19.70 million subscribers in its broader fixed wireless access broadband category in September, up from 19.34 million in August. This broader category includes several technologies and should not be confused with the 13.61 million figure specifically reported for 5G FWA.
India’s total broadband subscriber base increased to 1,107.68 million during the month. Mobile wireless access accounted for 1,039.09 million subscriptions, while wired broadband reached 48.89 million.
These categories show that mobile broadband remains the largest component of the market, while fixed wireless and wired services provide additional options for fixed-location connectivity.
What to watch next
The next monthly TRAI report will help establish whether September’s 5G FWA growth continues. Subscriber additions alone, however, cannot show whether operators are improving network quality, gaining customers from fibre providers or increasing revenue per connection.
Those questions will require additional information, including operator disclosures, local availability and service-level performance data.
For now, the September figures provide a clear measure of India’s expanding 5G FWA subscriber base, with rural connections representing slightly more than half of the total.
