Wireless Data Use Jumps 25% in FY26 as TRAI Reports 11% Fall in Revenue per GB

trai’s October 6, 2026 update, reportedly from New Delhi, showed India’s FY26 wireless data use rising 25% while revenue per GB fell 11%. The supplied briefing also attributes the quarterly announcement to the trai chairman, although that detail is not officially confirmed.

The figures set up a clear industry tension: subscribers are consuming far more data, but operators are collecting less from each gigabyte. The headline figures came from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s telecommunications performance metrics for 2025-26. As first reported by Indiatimes, the data points to a market where usage growth is outpacing monetisation.

Wireless Data Usage Reaches 2,85,376 Petabytes

trai reportedly recorded total wireless data consumption of 2,85,376 petabytes in FY26, up from a reported 2,28,779 petabytes in FY25. That represents reportedly annual growth of 24.74%, which rounds to the 25% increase highlighted in the report.

At the same time, revenue earned for each gigabyte reportedly declined by 10.59%, or approximately 11%. The contrast matters because data traffic and operator income are moving in opposite directions. More video streaming, social media, cloud services and connected devices can lift network demand without producing the same increase in revenue. The supplied FY26 briefing also includes an unconfirmed alternative figure of 450 exabytes for total consumption and reports average data revenue at ₹9.50 per GB, but those two figures remain unconfirmed.

Why Revenue Falls Despite Higher Consumption

trai’s telecommunications performance metrics were released on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The supplied figures reportedly show that average revenue per user per month increased from ₹174.46 in FY25 to ₹180.73 in FY26, a reported rise of 3.59%.

That reported improvement gives operators some protection, even as the amount collected from each gigabyte becomes smaller. The difference between ARPU and revenue per GB is central to the story. Customers may be paying more through tariff plans or consuming enough data to lift monthly bills, while the cost allocated to every gigabyte continues to decline. For operators, that creates pressure to expand network capacity and manage capital spending without relying on proportional data monetisation.

What TRAI’s FY26 Figures Mean for Operators

The numbers suggest that India’s telecom market is shifting from basic subscriber acquisition towards capacity economics. Operators must carry substantially more traffic, yet the falling per-GB return limits how directly that traffic can translate into revenue. The result could increase the importance of premium plans, enterprise connectivity and services beyond basic data access.

This pattern also places greater attention on network investment and pricing discipline. If usage continues rising faster than revenue, providers will need to improve network efficiency or find additional income from bundled services. The trend sits alongside wider scrutiny of digital infrastructure, including the concerns covered in our report on ‘You Probably Have One Election Cycle Before Data-Centre Capacity Becomes a Political Issue’.

What Happens Next for India’s Telecom Market

The next performance updates will show whether ARPU growth can keep offsetting weaker revenue realisation per GB. TRAI’s annual series will also reveal whether the 25% reported usage increase was a one-year jump or part of a longer demand pattern. Operators will be watching both measures because subscriber spending alone does not capture the cost of carrying heavier traffic.

For consumers, the immediate effect is less direct: the FY26 figures do not announce a new tariff or a confirmed change to existing plans. For providers, the message is sharper. Wireless growth is delivering more data demand, but the next phase of competition will be decided by how efficiently that demand becomes sustainable revenue. India’s data economy is growing by volume; telecom operators now need value to grow at the same speed.

FAQs

What did TRAI report for FY26 data consumption?

TRAI reported that total data consumption increased from a reportedly 2,28,779 petabytes in FY25 to a reportedly 2,85,376 petabytes in FY26.

How much did revenue per GB decline?

Revenue per GB reportedly fell by 10.59% during FY26, which is approximately an 11% decline.

Did average revenue per user increase?

Yes. Average revenue per user per month reportedly rose from ₹174.46 in FY25 to ₹180.73 in FY26, representing a reported 3.59% growth. Source: Indiatimes