India’s fixed communication services revenue is projected to grow from US$ 12.8 billion in 2024 to US$ 16.5 billion by 2029, driven by increasing demand for high-speed broadband, reveals a recent GlobalData report. Fiber optic broadband is expected to dominate, making up 94% of total broadband lines by 2029, supported by ongoing infrastructure investments and 5G-based FWA expansion.
Globally, FWA adoption is accelerating, with 51% of CSPs offering speed-based plans, as per Ericsson’s June 2025 report. FWA is projected to contribute over 35% of new broadband connections by 2030, especially in areas lacking traditional wired infrastructure.
India’s revenue from fixed communication services—including fixed wireless access (FWA) and wired broadband—is projected to grow from US$ 12.8 billion in 2024 to US$ 16.5 billion in 2029, marking a CAGR of 5.2%, according to a recent report by GlobalData. This growth will be primarily fueled by increasing demand for high-speed broadband services.
However, fixed-line voice communication revenue is expected to decline at a CAGR of 1.7% over the same period. This decline is attributed to falling average revenue per user, driven by consumer migration to mobile and app-based communication, and the inclusion of free voice minutes in bundled plans by service providers.
In contrast, fixed broadband services are expected to experience robust growth, with revenue projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% between 2024 and 2029. This is supported by the rise in broadband subscriptions, especially through fiber connections, and the nationwide rollout and expansion of FWA services by major telecom players such as Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio) and Bharti Airtel.
Fiber optic broadband is anticipated to dominate the fixed broadband landscape, with fiber lines expected to comprise 94% of all broadband connections in India by 2029. The expansion is underpinned by the government’s continued investments in fiber infrastructure and telecom operators’ efforts to scale FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) services. Fiber service revenues alone are projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% over the five-year period.
Reliance Jio is positioned to lead the fixed broadband market by subscription share, owing to its strong FTTH offerings and aggressive FWA service expansion.
Since late 2023, both Jio and Airtel have been offering 5G-based FWA services. As of April 2025, India had 7.5 million FWA subscribers—Jio with 6.14 million and Airtel with 1.36 million. FWA additions in April (730,000) outpaced fixed broadband additions (370,000), and now account for 60–80% of monthly broadband growth.
The growing demand for high-speed internet, along with competitively priced fiber broadband plans offering perks like unlimited data and access to major SVoD platforms, is expected to significantly boost fiber broadband adoption in India over the forecast period.
As India’s fixed communication landscape evolves, ongoing infrastructure investment and changing consumer preferences for high-speed, content-rich broadband will be critical in driving the next phase of growth.
Global adoption of FWA is on the rise
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is gaining strong traction among communications service providers (CSPs) worldwide, driven by its ability to support speed-based tariff plans enhanced by 5G technology, according to the June 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report. Currently, around 80% of global CSPs surveyed by Ericsson offer FWA services, with the fastest growth observed among those leveraging 5G to deliver speed-tiered plans.
The adoption of 5G-enabled FWA allows providers to offer a variety of subscriber packages with differentiated internet speeds and bundled entertainment options—similar to traditional cable or fiber services. This evolution significantly improves monetization potential for CSPs compared to previous FWA generations.
The June 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report (EMR) reveals that 51% of global communications service providers (CSPs) offering Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) now include speed-based plans—up from 40% in June 2024. This growth is largely driven by strong adoption in North America, along with increasing uptake in Europe and the Middle East.
The report underscores how communications service providers (CSPs) are exploring new commercial opportunities by delivering tailored connectivity solutions to consumers, enterprises and public authorities. Key use cases include broadcast and video production, point-of-sale systems, events/arenas, gaming, fixed wireless access, virtual private networks, and tools to enhance enterprise productivity.
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is expected to contribute over 35% of new fixed broadband connections globally, with total connections projected to reach 350 million by the end of 2030. 5G FWA is playing a vital role in extending broadband coverage, particularly in regions where deploying traditional wired infrastructure is challenging or impractical.
Conclusion
India’s fixed communication market is set for strong growth, led by fiber and 5G-based FWA services. With increasing broadband demand, supportive policies, and rising digital consumption, the country is entering a transformative phase. Global trends further reinforce FWA’s role in expanding access, positioning it as a key driver for future connectivity in both developed and underserved regions.
